Twenty-five years after graduating from Powell High School, Jason Hillman is returning to the Powell school district as a principal.

Beginning in July, Hillman will take the helm at Parkside and Clark elementary schools. He will replace Kenny Jones, who is retiring in June after 21 years with the school district. Hillman has past experience as a Wyoming principal and most recently has worked in education in Ohio.

“Powell is my home. I was born and raised there, and I want to come back and help Powell kids achieve great things,” Hillman said in a Monday email to the Tribune. He added, “Parkside and Clark schools are outstanding elementary schools, and having the opportunity to be part of those teams is very exciting to me.”

The Park County School District No. 1 Board of Trustees unanimously approved hiring Hillman last week.

Superintendent Kevin Mitchell said Hillman was highly sought after.

“Cody was after him. Two school districts offered him a job without even interviewing him,” Mitchell told the school board. “We’re happy to have Jason here.”

Hillman served as the principal of Meadowlark Elementary School in Sheridan for 12 years. In that position, he was named a National Distinguished Principal by the National Association of Elementary Schools in 2011. Under his leadership, Meadowlark Elementary was named a National Blue Ribbon School in 2012.

Hillman left the principal position in Sheridan in 2013 to become the executive director of the Kinnear Literacy Project at Ohio State University. He also currently works as a training associate/consultant, helping schools improve and focusing on literacy and leadership.

Hillman called his time in Ohio a learning experience and said he has gained great knowledge and insight.

“I knew coming out to Ohio that I would one day return to Wyoming,” Hillman said. “Visiting and working with different school systems around the country the last two years has reaffirmed my belief that Wyoming is a great place to live, and the schools are outstanding. I miss working with children and teachers on a daily basis, and I am excited for the opportunity in Powell.”

Mitchell noted that Hillman was quoted in a March article about literacy in the National Association of Elementary School Principals magazine. In the article, Hillman says principals should make it a priority to create a school culture where adults are ongoing learners and teachers meet regularly in professional learning communities.

Hillman said he will continue to make literacy a main priority at Parkside and Clark.

“Literacy should be a primary focus of every elementary school, and we will continue the Park County School District No. 1’s strong commitment toward literacy,” he said.

Before becoming a principal in Sheridan, Hillman was a classroom teacher there and in St. Maries, Idaho. He has a master’s degree in school administration from the University of Wyoming and a bachelor’s degree in elementary education with a minor in physical education from Dickinson State University.

Hillman and his wife, Amy, are looking forward to moving to Powell and being positive and productive members of the community, he said. The couple has two daughters, ages 11 and  9.

“I know both of my daughters will have a positive experience within the Powell school system,” he said. “We feel fortunate to come back and raise our girls in Powell.”

Growing up, Hillman attended Powell schools. He is the son of Judie and Don Hillman, the mayor of Powell.

As the principal for Parkside and Clark schools, Hillman said his goal will be to help all students and staff members reach their potential.

“Over the past couple of years, I have seen many things in the area of public education. I have a strong understanding of how great schools function; I also know what not-so-great schools look like,” Hillman said. “I understand what our Wyoming students will be competing with when they apply for college admission. I hope to utilize this experience in guiding Powell students as they reach their potential.”