Edmond district names its top teacher
EDMOND — Robin Mills, a nationally board certified special education teacher at Washington Irving Elementary School, is the 2017-2018 Edmond teacher of the year.
Superintendent Bret Towne made the announcement during the district’s Celebration of Excellence hosted by the Edmond Public Schools Foundation.
“To watch Robin Mills engage with her students is to witness love in action,” Towne said. “People are often moved to tears when they visit her classroom and observe her interaction with students.
“Some days her classroom can resemble a pediatric medical unit, yet despite the immense challenges of caring for students with such a variety of disabilities, including some with life-threatening illnesses, she works tirelessly to ensure that every student receives a meaningful education.”
Mills has been in her current position for 20 years. She said she was inspired to enter the field of special education because her brother, John, was born with special needs.
“My involvement with my brother and his challenges has driven and inspired me to give my students the best opportunity to be productive and feel valued,” she wrote in her teacher portfolio, a requirement for all teacher of the year finalists.
“I love teaching Edmond’s most significantly challenged and helping others to see the possibilities in the most difficult of circumstances.”
Several years ago, Mills started a musical program for her students to give them an opportunity to be on stage.
The first performance was simple and lasted just three minutes, according to a news release. Today, the program is a major production complete with hand-sewn costumes that is performed in front of the entire student body.
As district teacher of the year, Mills will compete in the state teacher of the year competition facilitated by the state Education Department. The state teacher of the year will be announced in September.