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Celebrating with a frozen treat PDF Print E-mail
Education
Written by Brian McCauley   
Wednesday, 14 January 2009 08:00
Cottonwood Elementary School students got a cool treat Friday, thanks to the efforts of longtime kindergarten teacher Julie Miller.

Last spring, Miller found out she was Paola’s teacher of the year, and in September, she discovered she was one of eight finalists for Kansas Teacher of the Year. Both were first-time honors for the veteran educator who has taught for 35 years, 25 of which have been in Paola.

The state winner was announced in November, and although Miller did not win, her work with the other finalists is just beginning.

On Friday, Miller was preparing for a whirlwind trip in which she and the seven other finalists will travel across the state speaking to students at high schools and colleges.

But first, she celebrated by treating all Cottonwood students to ice cream, courtesy of Blue Bell Ice Cream.

“Blue Bell values education,” said territory manager Mike Charles, who delivered the ice cream Friday. “It’s the most important job there is.”

It was the second straight year Blue Bell visited Cottonwood, as second-grade teacher Erin Capettini previously was a teacher of the year finalist.

Miller has spent most of her career teaching a kindergarten class each year, but now that Paola has all-day kindergarten, she is teaching science, social studies and music to all of the kindergartners.

She said she has embraced the change and enjoys getting to know each student personally.

Miller was scheduled to leave for her trip Sunday, and she and her fellow finalists planned to speak in El Dorado on Monday and Newton on Tuesday.
Miller said the finalists plan to make stops in each of their hometowns, and the Paola visit is scheduled for Feb. 3.

“It will be an in-depth visit,” Miller said. “It gives each district a chance to show off their programs.”

Despite the big trip, Miller said she’ll be glad to get back to Cottonwood, where she hopes to continue teaching for quite a while. Based on the response she has received from the students after the announcement of her honor, it’s pretty obvious the students hope she never leaves.

“They threw a big send-off for me when I went to Wichita,” Miller said. “Every kid made a card.”
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