Bill Hill’s desire to serve his people in a capacity that impacts future generations led to a career in education that reflects his close connection to the people and places in the Bristol Bay region.
Hill is the son of Pete & Barbara hill. Barbara’s parents were second-generation Irish & German, and Pete’s parents were Dena’ina (Athabascan) & first-generation Finnish. Most of Hill’s early years were spent in the small village of Kokhanok, Alaska. As a young man, Hill experienced a frontier lifestyle that became essential to his identity. Growing up in Bush, Alaska, meant chopping wood, packing water, raising dog teams, subsistence hunting & fishing, and annually a summer of commercial fishing in Bristol Bay. Education, reading, and life outdoors were all part of this life along with a continual, close connection with his native culture of the region.
Education is young in Bush Alaska, clearly defined in Hill’s family. His grandmother Katie Trefon had no formal education and lived a traditional Dena’ina lifestyle in her early years. Hill’s father was able to attend elementary school in the village but had to leave to attend boarding school to complete his secondary instruction, and Hill was fortunate enough to be one of the first in his family to be able to attend high school in his village. As a sophomore in High School, Hill’s family moved to Naknek, Alaska, to attend the Bristol Bay Borough High School. This has been home for Hill since that time.
After graduation Hill attended the University of Alaska and eventually earned a Bachelor’s in Education with endorsements to teach MS/HS Science. Hill’s career consisted primarily of teaching HS & MS math and science. Hill taught first at the Bristol Bay Borough, SD, for five years, followed by six years at the Floyd Dryden MS in Juneau, AK. During his time in Juneau, Hill completed his Master’s in Education Administration.
Hill’s administrative career began with a highly varied position with the Lake & Peninsula SD, which involved principalships, District Office positions, and an Assistant Superintendency. After four years with LPSD, Hill was hired to be the Bristol Bay Borough High School (BBBSD) Superintendent, a position he has maintained for the past decade.
In addition to his role as the superintendent at BBBSD, Hill is the President of the Paug-Vik Village Corporation (a for-profit village corporation), and a commercial fisherman.
Hill is truly fortunate to have married Diane Hill early in life and raise four children; Emma, Billy, Eric & Gabriella. The blessings have continued as Bill & Diane are now the proud grandparents of five grandchildren; Norah, Lena, Liam, Maren, and Tuuli.
Past AASA Alaska Superintendent of the Year Winners:
2022 Alaska Superintendent of the Year: Bridget Weiss
2021 Alaska Superintendent of the Year: Ty Mase
2020 Alaska Superintendent of the Year: Kerry Boyd
About the Award:
The Superintendent of the Year program, sponsored by First Student and AASA, pays tribute to the talent and vision of the men and women who lead the nation’s public schools.
State-level winners are selected on the following criteria:
-
- Leadership for Learning
- Communication
- Professionalism
- Community Involvement