10/5/98

ATHENS, Ohio -- Ohio University graduate Ellen Hill was named 1999 Ohio Teacher of the Year by the State Board of Education and Ohio Department of Education at a ceremony Monday at Wilmington's New Vienna Elementary School in the East Clinton Local School District where she has taught second grade for eight years.

"Ellen exemplifies the qualities the Ohio Department of Education values for all educators," said State Superintendent of Public Instruction John Goff. "She will be a wonderful spokesperson for all Ohio teachers."

Hill makes sure she gets to know her students on a personal level, including the names of their siblings and pets and developments in their family life.

"I know their worries and their strengths," Hill said. "My classroom is a place where all grow in knowledge of the world around us and our understanding of the goodness within us. I provide challenges, fun and personal attention in a caring classroom."

Hill completed a bachelor's degree in education at Ohio University's College of Education in 1982 and a master's degree in reading certification and supervision at Miami University in 1988.

Another College of Education graduate, Charles Wiedenmann, was named 1998 superintendent of the year by the Buckeye Association of School Administrators earlier this year. Wiedenmann, superintendent of Fairfield City Schools, completed his master's and Ph.D. degrees in education at the college in 1973 and 1978.

Barbara Grohe, superintendent of the Iowa City Community School District in Iowa City, Iowa, was named 1998 National Superintendent of the Year by the American Association of School Administrators. Grohe completed a master's degree in education at Ohio University in 1968.