Mrs. Miller’s mark on Kaneland
Cindy Miller has always had a deep interest in the classroom, whether it be from the learning side or the teaching side. She took her caring above and beyond just the classroom, being a coach and to a certain degree, a mother like figure giving guidance to all who sought it. Miller, early on, knew she had a desire to help people but wasn’t necessarily certain on how to channel that passion for people.
“I always thought I was going to be a nurse, because I’ve always had that type of personality where I care about people, I care for people. I put their feelings before my own, sometimes that gets me in trouble.” Miller said
As time went on, Miller took notice of how rewarding and helpful teachers were, at least in her school experiences, as well as experiences at home.
“I loved going to my grandma’s house in the summertime. She was loving, caring and loved kids. She was also a teacher, and I thought I would never follow in her footsteps, but sometimes I feel like she’s following me,” Miller said.
Her grandmother alone was not the only reason for the change of heart to become a teacher, as teachings at critical periods of her life proved to be enough of an influence to alter her career path.
“I had awesome teachers at Northern Illinois University, I also had really good teachers in high school,” Miller went on to say.
Miller’s views education as one of the most important and interesting jobs that one can hold, allowing one to be a true beacon of information and to help mold our youth.
“I feel like I’m doing the job that any person would want if they want any kind of rewards out of their life, because everyday I learn something from my kids or I feel like I’ve helped a kid and any time you can go home and have that feeling. You don’t usually go home feeling mad or upset or having a bad day. I feel like I learn from you kids everyday, that’s why it’s such a joy to come to work. I love to keep up on what their doing,” Miller said.
Unparalleled levels of caring and compassion are exemplified by Mrs. Cindy Miller, but to truly understand her nuances, a student may want to sit in on one of her heralded contemporary health classes.
“I was very excited when I got the O.K. to do the contemporary health curriculum because I taught at Northern for 8 years so I wanted to be with the older kids, the young adults, because I feel like I can talk to them at a different level than I can freshman,” Miller said.
Although Miller does prefer teaching the older crowd, she also teaches freshman level health. Incoming freshman may see Miller in a different light, but regardless of your perception, Miller has a few words for students getting ready to head off into the real world.
“I don’t want (students) to stop being my friend when they leave school. I want them to come back and tell me what’s going on. I can be your mom. I can be your disciplinarian. I can be a big teddy bear. I can be anything you want me to be as long as you respect me, and I hope one day kids will say, gosh, we miss Mrs. Millers class, because I know I’ll miss those classes too,” Miller said.
