Extraordinary Educators: The Professional Development Pathway That Sets Hillside Apart
By: Julie Harakal, Hillside Assistant Head of School and Director of Curriculum
At The Hillside School, learning isn’t just for students—it’s a way of life for our educators, too. In a field where professional growth often comes in one-size-fits-all workshops or isolated seminars, Hillside has reimagined what meaningful, sustained educator development can look like. The result is our Hillside Professional Development Pathway—a multi-year journey designed to build expertise, nurture collaboration, and ultimately transform the learning experience for every child we serve.
A Pathway Built on Purpose. The Hillside Professional Development Pathway is more than a checklist of trainings; it’s a carefully sequenced roadmap grounded in the school’s mission to empower students with language-based learning differences. Each educator embarks on a structured progression—beginning as a Foundational Educator, advancing through Advanced Practitioner, and ultimately becoming a Master Educator and Coach. This tiered system recognizes both growth and mastery, celebrating the art and science of teaching.
Learning Rooted in Research and Practice. Every step of the pathway integrates research-based programs that reflect Hillside’s commitment to excellence. Educators complete comprehensive training in Structured Literacy (LETRS), Multisensory Math (Marilyn Zecher), Writing Revolution, and Responsive Classroom—ensuring that every teacher is equipped with the specialized tools to reach diverse learners. These trainings are not standalone experiences; they are woven into classroom practice through coaching cycles, collaborative reflection, and data-informed instruction.
Commitment, Time, and Dedication. The level of dedication Hillside educators bring to this professional growth is exceptional. Each certification requires dozens—often hundreds—of hours of coursework, study, and application. For example, completing the two-volume LETRS Structured Literacy certification represents more than 160 hours of learning and classroom implementation. The Multisensory Math and Writing Revolution trainings demand deep study of pedagogy, lesson planning, and hands-on practice that extends well beyond the classroom day.
Participation in these programs often continues through multi-year cycles of reflection, feedback, and demonstration of mastery. Hillside educators devote evenings, weekends, and summers to advancing their skills, continually seeking to refine their instruction to meet the unique needs of our students. It is a level of dedication rarely seen in education—and one that directly translates to exceptional outcomes for children who learn differently.
A Model of Continuous Growth. Perhaps what most distinguishes Hillside’s approach is that professional growth is never finished. Teachers are encouraged to pursue leadership roles, pilot innovative instructional approaches, and even mentor others as they refine their craft. The pathway honors the unique talents of each educator while ensuring a consistent, mission-aligned standard of instructional excellence across the school.
Innovation with Purpose. As education continues to evolve, Hillside remains at the forefront—integrating technology, neuroeducation, and evidence-based practice in a way that few institutions can match. The Professional Development Pathway isn’t just about training teachers—it’s about cultivating extraordinary educators who change lives every day.
At Hillside, our teachers don’t just teach.
They learn, grow, and lead—together.