Annah Hill
As a child, Annah Hill knew she wanted to be a helper. At her family’s church, she met a hearing-impaired man who taught her sign language, and it became the foundation of what would become a lifelong passion for helping through communication.
Now a faculty member in the Department of Communication Disorders, Special Education, and Disability Services, she works with students who also want to help people who may struggle to communicate in an ever-changing world.
In this installment of Meet Our Faculty, meet Annah Hill.
What is it about your field that initially drew you in—and ultimately keeps you interested?
Advocacy is my passion. My parents shared with me that, even as a young child, I was always interested in helping others.
I communicated to the best of my ability with an individual from church who was deaf. He had atresia, no physical auricle (ear cartilage) on the side of his head. I noticed that he was interested in communicating and making friends. He would teach me some signs, but most of the time we would write notes back and forth.
In sixth grade, I began learning American Sign Language (ASL), because I saw a peer in my grade who used that as her main mode of communication. I gained a lifelong friend by reaching out to someone who communicated differently than I did, and we wanted to communicate to learn about our differences and share our similarities.
Why do you enjoy teaching in this discipline?
I gravitate toward colleagues and students who share similar passions with me. Their interest and eagerness to learn about assisting others through advocacy and promoting self-advocacy maintain my feeling of purpose in life.
When I added on my reading specialist certification, my passion grew from focusing on individuals with hearing loss and the deaf to anyone with a special need or language barrier. My passion led me to add on the special education teaching certification and the teaching English as a second language certificate.
My colleagues, students (both undergraduate and graduate), and community members encourage me to continue to share my passions and areas of expertise.
What advice would you give students about how to succeed in college?
I encourage students to stay connected, reach out, and collaborate with others (those who share the same interests as them and those who do not).
If they find themselves struggling a bit or feeling overwhelmed, I also encourage them to take time to prioritize their life. Start with the month, week, and then the next day. Focus on what is necessary and pertinent. If time management is not a strength, reach out for guidance. I am available as needed.