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It takes incredible people to do incredible things.

Allison Miller says, “it’s been an adventure.”

It’s no secret Oklahoma has underfunded public education for decades, and what seems like a detractor to some, was an opportunity for Allison Miller.

 

“I just wanted to go somewhere where I knew they needed me and I could make an impact,” says Allison Miller. “And help the students learn and achieve and reach their potential.”

Allison had been going to school in Iowa when the 2018 teacher walk-out happened. With graduation looming, she felt Green Country calling.

Allison Miller says, “Oklahoma in general had a teacher shortage, so I decided to come down and give it a shot.”

She landed at Lewis and Clark Elementary, instantly surrounded by a web of support.

“I feel like I am at home here and everyone is very welcoming,” says Allison Miller.

Throughout her first year Allison took part in free district offered professional development.

Allison Miller says, “I have a great team and great support and I love every minute of it."

Continuing her learning and becoming a better educator each day.

“I have been going to classes about how to teach math better,” says Allison Miller.

Resources she says every teacher should take advantage of.

“I think it is very important because education is changing every day,” says Allison Miller. “And curriculum is changing and there are always new strategies that you can implement.”

Saying even when there is no professional development class happening, she’s able to lean on her coworkers at Tulsa Public Schools.

“My team is awesome! They are always giving me new ideas and support me,” says Allison Miller. “I mean my kids are over there right now, and they are like ‘oh yeah, send them over.’”

Since arriving in Tulsa Allison was parried up with a mentor. A veteran teacher that can help her overcome issues novice teachers face.

Allison Miller says, “it’s been awesome, because what they really teach you in college isn’t always, it’s nothing compared to what you have here.”

That relationship has helped her pick up new techniques to better teach her students.

“I didn’t learn it in college, I picked it up this year, and my mentor has been coaching me through it,” says Allison Miller.

She’s talking about No Nonsense Nurturer.

Allison Miller says “my students respond really well to it. So, I’ll be like jimmy is reading a book, bob is reading his book, and Larry his reading his book. And then the students who are not reading their book will be like ‘oh, I should be reading my book.’ So, they are good at self-correcting themselves with that.”

Saying it has had a big impact on her second-grade students.

“They want to hear their name be called out for doing the right thing,” says Allison Miller.

Meaning more of her students are paying closer attention, learning more, and on track to graduation.

“They want to pay more attention to the question or figure out how to solve it because they want to hear their name again,” says Allison Miller.

Saying she knows she’s found her calling. In-part, thanks to her experience as a new teacher at Tulsa Public Schools.

Allison Miller says, “I couldn’t see myself doing anything else."

And - thanks to joy she gets from helping these kiddos be better prepared for the challenges of tomorrow.

Allison Miller says, “Take the opportunity to make the impact and go be a difference in that child’s life."