When Mary Louise Hill started teaching at Riverdale High School, Richard Nixon was the President of the United States. And in the 41 years since she first stepped foot in a classroom, she has shown a dedication and commitment to students that has set herself apart from her colleagues, county school officials say.

Many students from Lehigh Acres have been taught by Hill over the years.

For her more than 40 years of teaching, Hill is being honored by the Lee County Council of Teachers of English with its Lifetime Achievement Award. It’s the first time this award is being presented and it was created directly because of Hill’s outstanding career.

When looking at her more than four decades as a teacher, the Council realized that Hill’s contributions to student achievement, school and District-wide impact and professional contributions exceeded the scope of their annual Teacher of the Year award criteria. So they made the decision to institute this new award as a way to honor her years of service and expertise.

Along with helping all students to their best, Hill is a trainer of teachers, leading the way not only in her department but also with the entire staff, coaching other professionals in the use of effective practice in embedding writing in their discipline. In her classroom she sets the bar extremely high and her students love her for it. She encourages them to stretch and attain more than they ever thought possible, school officials say. Hill embodies the quintessential teacher who loves her students, loves to explore and discover and imparts that sense of excitement to her students and fellow teachers, officials said.