Bonnie Campbell Hill passed away on May 10, 2011 after a difficult struggle with liver cancer. She was an internationally known educational consultant specializing in the area of literacy instruction and assessment. Bonnie worked extensively with individual schools and school districts around the world and also presented at state, national, and international conferences. She specialized in workshops on literature circles, writing instruction, classroom-based assessment, developmental continuums, portfolios, and student-led conferences. She published nine professional books on these topics.
Bonnie received both her undergraduate and master’s degree from the University of Colorado and taught elementary school for seven years in Boulder, Colorado. In 1985, she moved to Seattle, Washington where she taught for two more years before returning to graduate school. She received her doctorate in Reading/Language Arts from the University of Washington in 1991. She taught courses in writing, children’s literature, reading, and assessment at Seattle Pacific University and Seattle University.
Bonnie wrote several articles for professional journals. She also wrote four books on assessment. Her first book, entitled Practical Aspects of Authentic Assessment: Putting the Pieces Together (1994), was written with Cynthia Ruptic and Lisa Norwick. In 1998, she published Classroom Based Assessment with the same co-authors. This was the first book in the Corner Pieces assessment series. The second book in the series, Developmental Continuums, was published in 2001. In 2007, she published a companion parent handbook with Heinemann, entitled Supporting Your Child’s Literacy Learning. Bonnie and co-author Carrie Ekey published two additional books with Heinemann in 2010, The Next Step Guide to Enriching Classroom Environments and The Next Step Guide to Enhancing Writing Instruction.
Bonnie also wrote three books on literature circles. Literature Circles and Response, co-authored with Nancy Johnson and Katherine Schlick Noe, was published by Christopher-Gordon in 1995. A supplementary book, The Literature Circles Resource Guide, was published 2001. Her book, Literature Circles in Middle School: One Teacher’s Journey (2003), was written with Katherine Schlick Noe and Janine King.
Bonnie’s work on literature circles, writing instruction, classroom-based assessment, developmental continuums, portfolios, and student-led conferences has inspired teachers around the world and will continue to have an impact on the lives of countless students.
At the time of her cancer diagnosis in October 2010, Bonnie was an active world citizen, having traveled to over 70 different countries, building remarkable friendships wherever she went. Eternally an energetic and efficient organizer, Bonnie used her diagnosis as an opportunity to bring together friends, family, and colleagues from around the world to launch one last project. In the fall of 2010, she initiated the “Bonnie’s Big Idea,” a project that continues Bonnie’s legacy of literacy. To promote continued professional development in the education community, the project includes three annual awards to be presented to outstanding teachers on local, national, and international levels. Additionally, the project incorporates a partnership with the nonprofit organization “Room to Read.” Since its inception, “Bonnie’s Big Idea” has raised over $1M for Room to Read, which has been used to build libraries, publish local literature, and support girls’ education in India.
Bonnie’s husband, Steve, and her three children, Keith, Laura, and Bruce, will continue to maintain this website to provide access to Bonnie’s work for educators around the world. Please contact Steve if you have questions or suggestions for this website.