Principal position destiny for Butterfield’s Hildick

Janel Hildick has been the principal at Butterfield Elementary School since 2011 when she took over for Ember Conley, the school’s principal since opening in 2008.

Before becoming principal, Hildick worked as an academic coach, behavioral interventionist, taught third, fourth and sixth grade, and was a high school Spanish teacher.

She knew she was destined to be a teacher at a young age.

“I’ve known since I was in (kindergarten),” Hildick said. “I used to come home and play school in our basement with a chalkboard and my stuffed animal ‘students.’ I would mimic my teacher, and my mother always could tell what kind of day I had at school.”

Hildick grew up in Toms River, N.J. and got her bachelor of arts in elementary education and Spanish from Georgian Court University in Lakewood, N.J. She received her master’s in education from Arizona State University.

After graduating from college, she worked as a teacher in New Jersey and Texas before moving to Arizona.

“My husband’s job brought us to Arizona in 2000, and our need for more space as a growing family brought us to Maricopa in 2006,” Hildick said.

She has a 13-year-old son who attends Maricopa Wells Middle School and an 11-year-old daughter who attends Butterfield Elementary School.

“My strategy as principal is to try my best to be consistent, fair and positive,” Hildick said.

“The most important thing a child takes away is knowing that it is important to care for themselves, others and the world around them.”

“The most rewarding part of working in education is working with the children,” Hildick said.

"No matter if I am having a bad day or not, they always brighten it with their wonderful spirit.

Janel Hildick
Principal
Butterfield Elementary School

Education: B.A. in elementary education and Spanish from Georgian Court University; master’s in educational leadership from ASU

Family: Married with two children, a 13-year-old son and 11-year-old daughter

Hobbies: Shopping, arts/crafts, painting, snow skiing, going to the beach, hiking

First job in education: Third grade bilingual teacher

Most memorable moment as an elementary school student: Playing with friends outside at lunch recess

***ADVERTISEMENT***Most interesting thing a student has been called to the principal office for: To see their father who just returned from overseas in the Armed Forces

Favorite subject: Math