Since taking over last summer as the Antioch's superintendent, Gill, 58, has sought to be open and transparent in communicating issues facing the district — the same tack he's used during his nearly 40-year education career.
"It's always been in Don's personality to listen and try to understand instead of telling people what to do," said wife Phyllis Gill.
The San Diego native started as a custodian and bus driver before turning to teaching in the small town of Kernville, near Bakersfield. Stops along the way have included heading curriculum in Kern County; junior high principal and assistant superintendent in Bakersfield; working in the private sector with a San Diego charter school company; and junior high principal in Newark.
"He really finds joy in getting people to work well with him. People love to work with Don and work hard," Phyllis Gill said.