Division Director Series: Kathryn Bauman-Hill

 

As the newest division director to join The Bush School, Kathryn Bauman-Hill brings a warm, thoughtful, and collaborative leadership style to Bush, shaped by more than two decades of experience in independent and public schools.

Prior to arriving in Seattle this summer, Kathryn served for five years as the Elementary and Early Childhood Head at Capitol Hill Day School in Washington, D.C. In this role, she partnered closely with faculty and families to support a student-centered program grounded in academic growth, inclusion, and belonging. Her leadership reflects a deep commitment to helping young learners build confidence, competence, independence, and a lifelong love of learning.

 

“The mission of The Bush School aligns so deeply with my personal beliefs and practices as an educator, which include sparking curiosity, building strong foundations in literacy and learning, and nurturing joyful, connected classrooms where every child is known and valued,” she said.

 

Kathryn credits two experiences during her undergrad years with leading her to become an educator. The first was her work study job at the New England Aquarium, where she worked as an aquarium educator. It was the second experience that Kathryn says changed the trajectory of her life. 

“I participated in an alternative spring break where we traveled to Washington, D.C., and worked with three different organizations that supported unhoused and food-insecure families. One of the organizations, Martha’s Table, offered a children’s tutoring program, and after volunteering there for a week, I was hooked and returned to work as a camp counselor that summer.”

After graduating from The University of Wisconsin, Kathryn began her career in education as a Teach For America Corps member in Paterson, New Jersey, and has since taught and led in a range of diverse school settings. Her teaching experience spans grades three through five, including roles at Sidwell Friends School, Green Acres School, Lowell School, and Swift Creek Elementary. She brings a strong foundation in literacy instruction, holding a National Board Certification in Literacy, and has mentored and supported emerging educators for more than sixteen years.

 

In addition to her classroom and leadership experience, Kathryn is a trained Seeking Educational Equity and Diversity (SEED) facilitator and serves on the Executive Board of CONNECTdmv, reflecting her ongoing commitment to community, equity, inclusion, and engagement in schools. She earned her B.A. in English and African-American Studies and her M.S. in Educational Psychology from the University of Wisconsin–Madison, and her M.Ed. in School Leadership from Harvard University.

 

“One thing that's always been very important to me as a person is service work and giving back to communities. That is something that I've helped grow at all of the schools that I've worked at, and with Bush's investment in, and commitment to service, the school was a true match for me,” Kathryn said.

“I was recently invited into the Second Grade class to read with the students, and I shared a book about Jose Andres and the work that he does with World Central Kitchen to bring food and compassion to people in disaster zones. It was the perfect example of how one person can take a passion and turn it into changing the world.”

Check out this video to learn more about Kathryn.