The Amy E. Hile Foundation honors the life, work, and enduring legacy of Dr. Amy Elizabeth Hile (1968–2016)—a visionary educator, scholar, mentor, and advocate whose life’s work transformed American Sign Language (ASL) education for Deaf and Hard of Hearing children across the United States.
Dr. Hile dedicated more than 25 years to Deaf education as a teacher, ASL specialist, researcher, professor, and leader. She was deeply committed to advancing ASL as the first and foundational language of Deaf children and to strengthening bilingual–bicultural education from early childhood through K–12 and higher education. Her work shaped generations of students, educators, and institutions, leaving a lasting imprint on the field.
Born in Minnesota and educated at the Minnesota State Academy for the Deaf, the Model Secondary School for the Deaf, and Gallaudet University, Amy’s professional journey reflected her unwavering belief in language access, equity, and excellence.
She was a founding teacher of Metro Deaf School, the nation’s first bilingual charter school for Deaf and Hard of Hearing students, and later served as an ASL specialist, leader, and board chair. As a scholar, her research focused on ASL development, fingerspelling, and ASL/English bilingual education, contributing to national conversations on curriculum, instruction, and assessment.
As a tenured Associate Professor at Gallaudet University, Dr. Hile prepared future educators, led graduate programs, directed federally funded teacher preparation initiatives, and served in numerous governance and leadership roles. She was also deeply engaged in the ASL Roundtable Conference, language planning efforts, and school consultation nationwide. Beyond her professional accomplishments, Amy was known for her warmth, generosity, and ability to make every student and colleague feel seen, valued, and supported.
Carrying Forward Amy’s Vision
Amy Hile believed that strong ASL education requires more than curriculum alone. She envisioned a continuous cycle of improvement—where curriculum informs instruction, instruction informs assessment, and assessment guides ongoing refinement—all grounded in Deaf-centered values and focused on positive outcomes for students. This vision lives on today through initiatives such as Curriculum, Instruction, & Assessment (CIA) work and through the mission of the Amy E. Hile Foundation.
Our Purpose
The Amy E. Hile Foundation exists to extend Dr. Hile’s legacy by supporting future educators, students, and programs committed to high-quality ASL education and equitable language access.
Foundation Initiatives May Include:
- College scholarships for students pursuing ASL, Deaf Education, or related fields
- K–12 ASL competitions and awards, in partnership with schools and national organizations
- Youth ASL programs that promote language pride, literacy, and leadership
- ASL teacher mentoring and sponsorship, with a focus on supporting BIPOC teacher candidates
- ASL Teacher Classroom Fund Awards to support innovative, Deaf-centered instruction
Through these efforts, the Foundation seeks to nurture the next generation of ASL educators and leaders, strengthen educational systems, and ensure that Deaf children continue to benefit from the kind of thoughtful, rigorous, and compassionate education that Dr. Amy E. Hile championed throughout her life.
Amy’s work did not end with her passing—it continues in the lives she touched, the educators she inspired, and the students whose language and learning futures are stronger because of her vision.
Hello. My name is Laurene Simms and I want to share some remembrances of a dear friend and colleague, Amy E. Hile.
She had a vision that grew out of her love for and passion in educating Deaf students. She recognized the importance of ASL, and that in many ways; Deaf education did not have an adequate place for ASL to be included.
Her vision was to have ASL be included as part of a cycle of continuous improvement. It begins with developing curriculum, but that is not enough. Our knowledge about ASL also has to inform our instruction, and then lead to assessment of students that helps us modify our curriculum and instruction approaches- continuing a cycle that is focused on positive outcomes for students.
This vision is now being realized and shared with the Curriculum, Instruction, & Assessment (CIA) project. So, today, we look back in gratitude at this legacy of Amy Hile.
Amy E. Hile Foundation
Can you help to extend Dr. Hile’s legacy by supporting future educators, students, and programs committed to high-quality ASL education and equitable language access? Let’s support this foundation together – donate today