Mrs. Hillberry is a teacher here at Wheeling Park who has been teaching students a valuable life skill- cooking- for 15 years. She shares her knowledge on everything from baking to cost control. She was inspired to become a teacher from her cooking teacher from when she was in school, Mrs. Bugaj.

“I became close with her when I was a student and kind of stayed in contact with her after high school, and she just thought I’d be a good fit for this job, and promoted it to me, and it’s been history ever since,” said Mrs. Hillberry. 

She received a Culinary Arts Degree and West Virginia Northern Community College, then later went to get her degree in Career and Technical Education at West Virginia University.

Mrs. Hillberry enjoys cooking because she finds it comforting as well as sharing her food with others. 

 “Whether it is food or drinks, I just like serving and doing good for people,” said Mrs. Hillberry.

Her students at Park speak very highly of her and her programs. Kathleen Gonzalez is a junior and will be a completer in the culinary arts program.

“My favorite part about being in her class is that I love to bake and cook and being in her class opens me up to new possibilities of seeing more of what I like and don’t like,” said Gonzalez.