Hild found her education influenced by her parents, both educators. “My dad was a U.S. history teacher, and he really instilled values of learning,” Hild said. And through her experiences and travels early in life, she recognized the importance of empowering people and giving them a platform to make a difference.

Hild believes that people don’t always recognize their talents, so it is essential to recognize those abilities in others and then empower them to use their gifts to make a difference. “That’s to me what my position is,” Hild said. “I get to do that every day as a job. We’ve created a culture here of coaching and empowering people to unleash potential.”

One way to become an innovative leader is to seek out people outside one’s circle and learn from them. Learning from each other is the best way to gain new perspectives and find new approaches. “And don’t be shy; ask questions,” Hild said. “Find results that you admire, and then ask questions and partner.”

Another important key to becoming an innovative leader is continual learning. Hild fosters multiple programs in her district to keep ideas flowing and teachers learning new methods. “We have built this system of coaches who help invest in our teachers so they can understand ways to personalize proficiency scales and a pacing guide and using technology, and also developing the social, emotional, leadership skills of our youth,” Hild said.