Welcome Jill Rilley, Middle School Media Specialist and Julianne Umbarger, School Mental Health Specialist

Jill Rilley, Middle School Media Specialist

Jill Rilley is Bloomfield Hills Schools’ new Middle School Media Specialist. Rilley’s 25 year career in education includes many years as an English Literature and a French Language teacher as well as being a Teacher Leader in a career-focused program, and a Junior High Media Specialist. Rilley has also been a member of a school board. Outside of education, Rilley spent time working in Human Resources in an automated systems and robotics company. 

Rilley is originally from the Washington/Romeo area and received an undergraduate degree from Michigan State University, a Masters of Library and Information Science from Wayne State University, and a Masters in Educational Leadership from Saginaw Valley State University. Rilley comes from a family of educators, has 3 children, 2 dogs and 2 cats, and enjoys snow skiing.  

Rilley will split time at North Hills and South Hills and is excited to support our students and teachers! Rilley shares, “I get to help the teachers when they want some expertise. I get to help the kids find books, what could be better than that! I get to develop relationships with kids and support them and their learning. I love it!” Welcome, Jill Rilley!

Julianne Umbarger, BHS School Mental Health Specialist

Julianne Umbarger, who has been working in Bloomfield Hills Schools for three years, began the role of BHS School Mental Health Specialist in April 2023. In this role, which is a temporary, grant-funded position that will conclude at the end of this school year, Umbarger equips school staff and caregivers with tools that support not only children’s mental health, but also their own, which in turn allows for a smoother teaching and learning experience for all. Visiting each school building at least once a month, Umbarger provides collaborative and problem solving opportunities for our BHS staff and students. The role also involves community education regarding mental health (through the Mental Health Spotlight in the Weekly Update on Wednesdays), staff empowerment (facilitating or organizing training for as many teaching staff as possible in Preventative Restorative Practices and Youth Mental Health First Aid), working with building staff on whole-school initiatives, incorporating a mental health lens into our district vision, and supporting buildings in Responsive Restorative Practices as needed.

Umbarger graduated with a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Michigan in 2017, and has been a school and clinical social worker ever since. A native Michigander, Umbarger attended Stevenson High School in the Utica Community Schools, and went to Wayne State for undergraduate studies. Now a Royal Oak resident, Umbarger is married with a daughter and pet dog. Hobbies include a love of singing, hiking, playing board games, baking nutritious treats, and spending time with friends and family. Umbarger shares, “It is a passion of mine to help people realize the power they have within themselves. I want my colleagues to know that I believe we are all better when we're working together. Already this school year, I've collaborated with a number of teachers and administrators, and the shared expertise combined with energy for this work makes for some amazing impact, both for our students and us!”