About

Carrie J. Miller, M.Ed

Miller has close to a decade of experience in education.  She has worked in the classroom for four years teaching: English, French, and substitute teaching in a myriad of subjects.  She has coached middle and high school soccer and basketball.  She has advised individual students, student council, college applicants, and National Honor Society.  She has also worked extensively in administration as a Dean of Students.  In this role, Miller developed and oversaw school-wide curricula and programs; educated students about the power of their choices and actions; and fostered student stewardship and positive community contributions.

Miller relocated to Colorado with her family December of 2009 when her husband accepted a design position with Case Logic.  When she is not learning and thinking about how to best connect students to literature and communication, you will likely find her: Engrossed in a book, movie, meal, or conversation; active on the soccer field, ski hill, or single-track trail.  Most often, you'll find her working to keep up with her toddler son!

ON TEACHING

Outstanding teachers are student-centered, innovative, goal-oriented, passionate, energetic, kind, flexible, consistent, collaborative, positive, committed, forward-thinking, and resolved.  At the very least, students deserve these attributes from their teachers, if not more.  Teachers have an enormous responsibility to develop students into successful, compassionate participants of a global community.

I believe that outstanding teachers are passionate about students as learners and as people.  Outstanding teachers support students’ development academically, socially, and emotionally.  We celebrate the diversity of students and find joy in the fact that every student possesses dynamic interests, learning styles, strengths, challenges, knowledge, traditions, beliefs, needs, and dreams.  We foster relationships with students because we like young people, and so we can tailor learning to the individual.

Outstanding teachers’ curricula are differentiated so that every student in the classroom feels challenged; neither overwhelmed nor bored.  We establish clear expectations for our students and hold each student to high standards.  Students work hard for outstanding teachers not only because of these expectations and standards, but also because students know we believe in them.  We hold ourselves to high standards, too.  All teachers serve as modes for their students; outstanding teachers walk the talk we teach.

Outstanding teachers acknowledge that the world has changed dramatically in recent years and that we have a great responsibility to prepare students for an unknown future; where critical thinking skills, problem solving skills, flexibility, creativity, empathy, and cross-cultural communication are the cornerstones of successful people.  Our classrooms are inviting and safe for students to take risks, to fail, to achieve, and to be unique.

LICENSURE

State of Colorado Initial Teacher License 5-12 Language Arts

State of Oregon Initial I Teaching License Secondary Language Arts

EDUCATION

Fellowship for Aspiring School Heads
National Association of Independent Schools - Washington, DC 2008-2009 Cohort


M.Ed. Secondary Language Arts
Pacific University - Eugene, OR 8/2006 – 12/2007

BA English Literature, French Minor
University of Puget Sound – Tacoma, WA 8/1996 – 5/2000

Diplôme Avancé in French
Université de Bourgogne – Dijon, France 1/1999 – 6/1999

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

St. Vrain Valley School District

January 2010 - Present

10th Grade English Summer School Teacher (June-July)

Class Website

Substitute Teacher

Oak Hill School

August 2003 - December 2009

Dean of Students

AP English Literature, Advanced English, French III/IV, 8th grade Language Arts,

Middle School Cooking, and Substitute Teacher

Coached high school co-ed indoor soccer, middle school girls’ basketball,

and high school weight training

Advisor for National Honor Society, high school student council, and individual grades 8-12

Crested Butte Academy

August 2001 - June 2002

Taught 14 classes and created curricula for eight in high school English, French, exercise science, and art

Coached high school varsity soccer and recreational downhill skiing

Advisor for six individual students

OTHER EXPERIENCE

Oak Hill School - Director of Admissions and Marketing 8/2003 - 12/2009

24 Hour Fitness - ACE Certified Group Exercise Instructor 5/2004 - 12/2006

Bracco HPF - Account Executive 10/2002 – 8/2003

Fat Earth - Office Manager & Account Associate 1/2001 - 6/2001

Enterprise Rent A Car - Management Trainee 9/2000 - 1/2001

Crested Butte Mountain Resort - Sales Associate  6/2000 - 9/2000