-Dr. Hill: Un Maestro Fantastico

Un Maestro Fantastico

Dr. John Hill

By. Khaleve Williams

John Hill, also known as Dr. Hill, is my Spanish teacher. Dr. Hill was born in Barbados in 1962. When asked what motto he lives by, Dr. Hill looked me in the eye and said, “Good, better, best; never rest until your good is better, and your better is best.”

Dr. Hill added, “My grandmother taught me that when I was a little boy going to the first grade. Life was much more interesting and different from now growing up.”

He graduated from Caribbean Union High School, and later move on to Antillean University in Puerto Rico. He spent four years in college to get his degree in chemistry. He has been teaching for more than 30 years, at ten different schools all over the world.

When asked if he plans to be Spanish teacher for the rest of his life, Dr. Hill smiled and said, “No. Not me. I’m about to retire and travel all over the world and give seminars at conferences to educational personnel.” He will also have more time for his hobbies. “While I’m on my free time I enjoy playing music, swimming, and playing tennis.”

I asked Dr. Hill what are some things he has accomplished in life. Dr. Hill said, “I have a doctorate and recognition for my work with young people to reduce violence and crime in school.”

During the interview I asked Dr.Hill a question that really had him thinking. “Do you plan to start a non-profit organization to stop gun violence?”

Dr. Hill paused, looked at me and said, “Well not really, but I can promise you that I will encourage the youths of today to do what’s best in life.”

Dr. Hill has been married to one woman. He has two daughters and lives in the Frenchtown community on St. Thomas. Dr. Hill’s advice to young children is “Plan and organize for a successful future, don’t lose your focus, work hard, and seek advice from successful adults.”

Dr. Hill said he feels comfortable at his job with all his co-workers, and enjoys coming to school at Kean High. I personally feel he is a good man, easy to work with, and a great teacher. Dr.Hill is a man who doesn’t get involved in any violence. He tries his best to talk to young people about getting in trouble.

I must say I learned a lot from Dr. Hill during the interview. He is a man who will not guide young people in the wrong direction. Dr. Hill once said, “Never say never,’’ and from that day I stopped using the word in my vocabulary.