Meet the Staff! (Part I)

It goes without saying we are blessed with educators at LaRue Miller Elementary who choose to love, serve, and care for their learners and each other every single dakinderteam1415y.  We are thankful for these talented, extraordinary team members:

Kinder Team:  Hank Pendley, Karyn Story, Jennifer Rinehart, and Roanna Nanney.  1st grade 14-15

First Grade Team: Lauren Bergvall, Stephanie Daniell, Katie Bergvall, and Emily Stanley.

2ndgradeSecond Grade Team:  Lana Beckwith, Joy Cowan, Nikki Hoover, Judy King, and Heather Cooper.  3rdgrade

Third Grade Team:  Kourtney Milne, Amy Clark, Andrew Morgan, and Jean Waddill.

4thgradeFourth Grade Team:  Brittany Cole, Susie Dickard, Jane Crisp, Jennifer Kids, and Shannon Williams.  5th Grade

Fifth Grade Team:  Sherrie Gunter, Susan Bly, Jennifer Lassetter, Laurie Garippa.

These amazing leaders of learners are one of the many reasons our students are committed to doing and being their personal best as they grow into greatness every single day!

Living Legacy

Often people attempt to live their lives backwards:  they want more things, more education, more money, more order in an attempt to do more of what makes them happy in life.  The way it actually works is the reverse.  This is the lesson Mrs. LaRue Miller teaches our learners daily.

LaRue Miller017 01Our school namesake reflects:  “You must first be who your really are and then do what you need to do in order to have what you need and want in life.”  It is interesting to note how Mrs. Miller’s philosophy rings true in the generations of lives she has touched through her teaching and volunteer legacy in Midlothian ISD.  While she would never admit it, she remains a critical part of something profoundly extraordinary because she was the catalyst.

Mrs. Miller will also tell you she is humbled and honored to have her legacy carried forth in the classrooms of the school bearing her name.  We strive each day the bell rings to make decisions and choices with her in mind!  When you visit and volunteer on our growing campus, you will find telltale signs of her blessing:  a picture or book here, a quote there…all little reminders of her majestic influence and continuing inspiration.  She deeply loves our learning community, prays for us, and devotes great time and energy into cheerleading our work!  Personally, I am grateful for her wisdom, enthusiasm, and hugs; she is so generous with those hugs!  🙂  She knows her story, she communicates her story, and she continues to lead with her story everyday!

Thanks, Mrs. Miller, for honoring us with your legacy; thanks for being our personal living legend in MISD.  After all, “the goal is simple…to help you achieve yours!” 

Thoughtful words…

It all started this morning with walkabout and a conversation with a child:

  • Child:  So, what do you think of our classroom sign today, Mrs. Van?
  • Me:  Well, let me take a moment to ponder.thoughtfulwords
  • Child:  That’s your One Word this year, isn’t it?  Ponder!  Perhaps if more of us took time to really ponder, words would never hurt us, huh?!  🙂
  • (My thought bubble:  “If only my child, if only…”)

I’m so proud of these learners for taking time to THINK, for truly listening to the message, and for challenging themselves and those around them to THINK!  As my Granny B often reminded me, “It is easier to go down the hill and take the shorter route than climb up the long way, but the view is so much better from the top.”   Staying on “top” of our words is a special lesson in life, so here’s hoping we all take the message of these learners to THINK (and perhaps ponder) as we go through each day.

Note:  We continue to appreciate all our parents coming out for grade level Parent Nights as we share important information!