Abbie Millard was named Educator of the Year at the first annual teacher recognition event in Niles on March 18, and was selected from among a field of recommended educators from 33 school districts across the Mahoning Valley.

BELOIT — Despite being named the first “Mahoning Valley Educator of the Year” West Branch fifth-grade teacher Abbie Millard says she’s not done growing within the classroom with her students.

“It’s a blessing to be honored in that way, but I’m not done learning and growing, there’s still so much I can learn and do. We’re really never done growing because there’s always more to learn,” said Millard.

Millard was named Educator of the Year at the first annual teacher recognition event in Niles on March 18, and was selected from among a field of recommended educators from 33 school districts across the Mahoning Valley.

Millard earned her bachelor’s degrees in grades 1-8 primary education, and K-12 special education from Malone University, and her master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from Nova Southeastern University in 2005 and has been a proud member of West Branch Local Schools for her entire 24-year career in education.

Millard spent the first 13 years of her career as an intervention specialist teaching grades K-8 during that time. She said that around 2014 she “realized that background in special education could help [her] to move into” a general education classroom, following a passion to teach math — passion she has been following for the last 11 years, teaching the district’s seventh, eighth, and now fifth grade students.

She said that while the move from special to general education was intentional, the changes from one grade level have been to suit the needs of the district and that she’s enjoyed teaching every grade level. She also said that she felt teaching such a wide range of students has been beneficial for her professional growth, noting that when you stay in the same role too long it can stop challenging you.

“All of those different experiences have really built my toolbox and helped me to become a better educator,” said Millard.

Despite not being specifically planning to teach fifth grade, Millard said that she enjoys teaching the students, noting that she enjoys their enthusiasm and positivity.

Millard said that she discovered her passion for teaching while she was still a student herself by helping other students with learning disabilities.

“I found a passion for working with other people in school while I was in upper elementary. I would spend my recess and spare time in multi-handicapped classrooms helping. That was really when I realized, and it’s all grown from there,” said Millard.

Millard also said that she understood how hard it can be for some students to excel in the classroom because it didn’t necessarily come easy to her either.

“I had to work for good grades so I know how difficult it can be to learn,” said Millard.

She said that drive to help others learn has never left her and continues to be a driving motivation. She also said that seeing the moment her students understand something is her favorite part about her job.

“I love working with the kids and watching their little light bulbs go off as they realize ‘hey, I can do this,'” said Millard.

Millard said that now a week has passed, being selected as Educator of the Year “has started to feel a little more real,” but that her feelings on the night were of disbelief.

“My first reaction the night of the banquet was that it felt unreal. I work hard, but there’s many teachers that work hard and I don’t consider myself more deserving than any of them. But it is nice to be recognized for all the work you put into your job. I love the people I’ve worked with, and they’ve really helped me grow and shaped me into the educator I’ve become. I applaud all educators for their work,” said Millard.

Millard said that her advice for her fellow educators and the teachers of tomorrow is that there will be difficult days, but those days are learning opportunities, and to follow their passion.

“There will be tough days, but persevere and work through each and every one of them and learn from them. If your passion is working with others and teaching, then follow that passion. One of my favorite quotes we tell people is ‘if it doesn’t challenge you, it won’t change you’… any experience worth having is going to challenge you and hopefully change you for the better,” said Millard.

Millard said that above all she is grateful for the opportunities she’s been given to work with all her students throughout her career.

“I’m thankful for the privilege of being able to work with so many amazing students every year I’ve worked here. They’re the reason I do what I do, and I thank their parents for allowing me to be a part of their learning and their lives,” said Millard.

mahart@mojonews.com