CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Crystal Hill’s journey to becoming the leader of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools is one that starts with a little girl in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
“The Land of Enchantment," Hill shared with WCNC Charlotte. "I was there because my mom moved there to be with her older brother."
Her mom met her dad and had two kids Monique and Felicia. A few years later, Hill, her parent’s youngest, was born.
But a few months later, tragedy happened.
“My older sister Monique was 8. My middle sister Felicia was 7. I was only 6 months old," Hill recalled. "They went swimming one day at our apartment complex. My parents were at work. They were with the babysitter and my mom came home and didn't have a child."
It’s a moment that broke her family and shaped her life.
"My parents divorced shortly after that, my grandparents came back, came down from Albuquerque, and were there to raise me, so growing up in the house," Hill said.
It instilled a strong sense of family in her.
"In the house was always me, and my grandparents and my sister Monique and my mom extremely close," Hill said. "And fast forward till today you know, my girls have grown up being with their grandparents taking care of them."
Hill said her family would describe her growing up as a rule follower.
"Bossy, they always said I was gonna be a teacher," Hill said.
Although Hill saw herself first being a nurse.
"In maybe sixth grade or so it was definitely a teacher," Hill said.
That decision became solidified in high school when she had the chance to work in the same preschool she attended.
"We had a lab school," Hill said. "So we had preschool kids that were at our high school, which was pretty cool. And so I taught at that lab school. And ironically enough, when I was in preschool, I attended that lab school. So it was just all full circle."
When it came time to go to college she chose North Carolina A&T State University, a Historically Black College and University (HBCU).
"I got there, it was a really big deal because living in Albuquerque, less than 2% of the population in the entire state is African American," Hill said. "And so when I came to North Carolina it was a little bit of culture shock, right? But then getting to the to (NCAT) A&T just the wonderful family feel."
Hill would go on to earn a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and a master’s degree in instructional technology, both from North Carolina A&T State University. A few years later she would earn a doctorate in educational leadership from Gardner-Webb University.
She began her 25-year career in education as a first-grade teacher in Guilford County Schools at Hunter Elementary.
“High expectations, high energy -- the majority of our students were on free and reduced lunch," Hill said. "So we're like 98% to 99%, free reduced lunch. So super high poverty.”
High expectation, no matter the circumstance would be a motto she took with her all the way to the dais as superintendent.
According to the AASA Decennial study, Hill represents just about 1.5% of Black female superintendents in the nation.
Prior to becoming a superintendent Hill served in various roles including assistant principal, principal, and executive director of elementary education and federal programs in Mooresville Graded School District, curriculum coordinator in Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools, and personnel director in Cabarrus County Schools.
“As a Black female, I've been blessed to have someone who recognized and nurtured the talent," Hill said. "And I think anyone who's in a leadership role, it's our responsibility to recognize and nurture talent.”
Hill said this nurturing came with tough love that would eventually prepare her for the outsized pressure of taking the lead spot of a district.
"They pushed me, they challenged me when things weren't going as they should," Hill said.
Hill has stepped into her role as superintendent when CMS student achievement has been at its lowest, education is at the center of political turmoil, a teacher shortage, and the social-emotional needs of students are at their highest.
“One of my mentors long ago said when the purpose of a thing is unknown, abuse is inevitable," Hill said. "And so, I think that we have to remember what the purpose of education is and focus on that purpose.”