At The Hillside School, our educators care deeply about the work they do and the students they serve. For Elena King, that connection is even more personal. As both a Hillside educator and a parent, she has experienced our community from two meaningful perspectives. In the classroom, she helps students build skills and confidence each day, and as a parent she has seen firsthand the impact Hillside can have on a child’s growth. Elena’s story reflects what makes Hillside special: a supportive community where students are understood, encouraged, and given the tools to thrive. We asked Elena to share more about her experience as both an educator and a parent at Hillside.
Finding the Right Support
My oldest daughter struggled academically for several years and simply wasn’t receiving the support she truly needed. I wanted to find a place with small class sizes that offered more than just a 20-minute mini-lesson in a hallway with a small group. She needed so much more than what her previous school was able to provide. My special education background and experience in previous districts has shown me what I truly wanted in my education career. I wanted to be in a place where we would be all on the same page and continuum of supporting the same goal for students. I wanted to help kids with learning differences.
Taking a Leap of Faith
To be honest, I wasn’t very confident at first because we had such a bad experience at the previous school. I was nervous that it might all just be “smoke and mirrors,” but I knew something had to change. We decided to put our trust into Hillside, and I am so grateful that we did. It’s never an easy decision for a parent to change a child’s educational setting but sometimes we need to take a leap of faith. Perspective parents should know their students are going to be offered such a unique experience. There are chances here your student won’t be able to experience anywhere else.
Meeting Students Where They Are
What makes Hillside unique is its commitment to meeting students exactly where they are. Rather than simply providing grade-level content with extra support, Hillside groups students based on their actual performance level. For instance, a second grader performing at a first-grade level will work alongside peers with similar needs. This allows educators to focus on the specific foundational blocks that were missed. By teaching to the student’s current ability rather than their chronological age, Hillside bridges academic gaps and builds a stronger path toward grade-level mastery.
“When children are actually excited to go to school, there is simply nothing better.”
-Elena
Additionally, Hillside utilizes multi-sensory instruction, much more than just simple manipulatives. Educators create hands-on learning experiences that concretely offer students the opportunity to access curriculum content in a way that helps them discover and engage in learning in meaningful ways.
Seeing Hillside from Two Perspectives
I am incredibly fortunate to see firsthand what Hillside has to offer. As an educator, the professional development here is exceptional, providing high-level training and specialized skill sets that I never encountered in my college career. My professional growth at Hillside has been far more profound than previous settings; what I’ve learned here is truly invaluable. Beyond the academics, it is inspiring to witness the genuine care and dedication that both the teachers and administration have for every student.
As a parent, there is nothing better than knowing my daughters are getting exactly what they need. Whether it’s enrichment in one subject or targeted support in another, they are receiving a truly tailored education. Most importantly, both of my daughters genuinely love this school! That enthusiasm makes a massive difference in their lives, both academically and emotionally. When children are actually excited to go to school, there is simply nothing better.
Watching Growth Take Shape
I could tell many stories, but the most rewarding is watching students who arrive at the beginning of the year barely knowing their letters or sounds, only to be reading full sentences by the end of the year. There is truly nothing better in teaching than witnessing that transformation.
What Families Should Know
Hillside understands that entrusting your child’s education to any school can be a difficult decision, especially when they are struggling. Hillside offers unique opportunities that you likely won’t find anywhere else in the area. They provide more than just small class sizes; they have a dedicated staff that truly cares about every student and a strong academic program filled with support. They tailor their approach to each child’s specific needs to ensure they succeed.
Extraordinary Starts Here
To me, ‘Extraordinary Starts Here’ means meeting a child exactly where they are and refusing to let them stay there. It’s the moment we stop teaching to a grade-level average and start teaching to the actual human being in front of us. Seeing a student transform from struggling with basic letter sounds to reading full sentences is where the extraordinary truly begins.
Elena’s time at Hillside has been defined by her dedication to students and her genuine care for the community around her. Whether in the classroom or as a parent cheering on her children’s growth, she has embraced the mission of helping students discover their strengths and build confidence in who they are as learners. Her work reflects the heart of what makes Hillside special, a place where educators, families, and students come together to support one another and celebrate each step of growth along the way. We are grateful for the care, passion, and positivity Elena has shared with our community and wish her and her family continued success in all that lies ahead.
