Dear Hillcrest Students and Families,

My name is Paula Seaman, and it is my privilege to welcome you to Hillcrest Elementary School.  Hillcrest is a "building of relationships" where our entire staff is involved in supporting students in a safe environment filled with meaningful learning opportunities.

Hillcrest is a community.  Our teachers, support staff, counselors, amazing PTA, Navy Partners and, most importantly, our students and their families make this a place for doing all we can to provide children with the foundational skills to become lifelong learners. 

Please know that if you cannot find answers to your questions or concerns on our website, we welcome and encourage you to contact us.

Again, thank you for your support in making Hillcrest Elementary the "Best Place to Be," and remember...Go Herons! 

Respectfully, 

Paula Seaman

Principal
360.279.5200
pseaman@ohsd.net

A Northwest Region Principal of the Year, Paula Seaman, is in the midst of her tenth year as principal and unabashed advocate for the staff and students of Hillcrest Elementary.  As the leader of the district’s largest elementary school, Ms. Seaman is guided by her years of experience in education, her fun-loving sense of humor, and her personal mantra of “always doing what’s best for kids.”  Her varied and extensive career began in 1996 as an elementary teacher and literacy coach with Chicago Public Schools, followed by four years as a middle school teacher with Seattle Public Schools. Ms. Seaman has lived on Whidbey Island working for Oak Harbor Public Schools since 2004 and has been our principal since 2012.

Ms. Seaman received her Bachelor of Arts in Communications and Japanese Languages from Washington State University, which she immediately put to use teaching English in Japan and serving as a volunteer in the Peace Corps in Micronesia.  She returned to the United States and earned a Master of Education and a Reading Specialist Certificate from DePaul University.  Following 15 years of classroom teaching and literacy coaching, Ms. Seaman received her administrative credentials from Seattle Pacific University.

Ms. Seaman’s quest to provide unique real-world learning opportunities for all students is the catalyst for many of the one-of-a-kind programs started at - and subsequent recognition received by - Hillcrest Elementary during her tenure as principal.  According to Ms. Seaman, “There is no greater privilege or responsibility than providing a safe, supportive, and caring environment for our kids to learn, where they feel appreciated, and where their individual needs are being met. I am so proud that Hillcrest strives to be that place each and every day for each and every student.”