Teresa Hill will be the next superintendent for Homewood School District 153.
Hill’s appointment was approved by the school board at a special meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 2. She will take the helm over the district’s three schools — Willow, Churchill and James Hart — on July 1 when Superintendent Scott McAlister retires from his career in education.
Hill was selected through a search process that extended over several months and included interviews with a search team as well as individual group meetings with staff, administrators and parents.
Hill told the Chronicle she looked at the superintendent’s position because she was ready for her next challenge. She was delighted to win the board’s approval. As a resident of Flossmoor, Hill has become familiar with the schools in the H-F community.
“I wanted to be in a place that has a focus on diversity, which this district has. It also has a focus on the most important things for kids. That’s the academics but also thinking about the whole child with the arts and STEM and all those things, and that has always been really important to me that schools really build up the whole child.”
Hill is currently serving as superintendent in South Holland District 151. That district also has students in grade centers. Hill has been superintendent there for 13 years. Earlier in her career Hill has served as assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction in Barrington, and assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction, principal and assistant principal in Bloomington.
She was Teresa Mathews when she grew up in Dolton and graduated from Thornridge High School. She has a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Illinois State University. She started in the profession as a kindergarten teacher in Peoria. She also was a reading specialist. Hill went on to earn a doctorate degree in educational administration from Illinois State.
McAlister, who was principal of James Hart School before his appointment as the superintendent five years ago, told Hill: “It’s an incredibly special place to work. You’re going to find that. As you get to know the 325 people who work here and the 1,900 students and extended families, and as a resident of Flossmoor you know the Homewood-Flossmoor community and how special it is and its residents.
“You’re going to bring fresh ideas to our district, and the excitement of what you’re going to bring to Homewood School District 153 is palpable.”
