Getting to know: Janel Hildick

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Maricopa’s English Language Learning Coordinator Janel Hildick said she spends every day following the program’s goal to encourage a love for learning.

Although she is in her first year as the program’s coordinator, Hildick brings 14 years of education experience to the position. Originally from Tom’s River, N.J., she attended Georgian Court University where she majored in elementary education with a bilingual endorsement.

Now her priorities include creating a model ELL program for other school districts to follow, increase the academic achievements for the ELL students and earn her master of educational leadership from Arizona State University.

Hildick said her favorite part about her job is being part of a growing district in the midst of implementing a new program that is expected to improve student success in using English.

The most challenging part or her job is waiting for the improvements to happen, despite her understanding that a strong program can take up to three years to be effective.

When she has spare time Hildick said she enjoys traveling with her family and friends. She has lived in Maricopa with her husband and two children since August 2006.

Ignorance is one of Hildick’s pet peeves, and if she could finish the sentence, “in a perfect world,” she would say “Everyone would get along.”

For more information on the ELL program in the Maricopa Unified School District visit their Web site at www.musd20.org.

Photo by Katie Winkley