Bend-La Pine Schools presented its Educator of the Year award Wednesday to Lauren Miller, a Learning Specialist at Cascade Middle School. She is one of three employees being honored this fall in the district’s Excellence in Education recognition program.
Superintendent Steven Cook and other District administrators, along with School Board directors and members of Miller’s family, celebrated her during a surprise morning visit to Cascade. Representatives of MidOregon Credit Union presented the school with a $500 check in honor of the recognition.
“Lauren is a standout leader and advocate for students who is full of creativity, compassion, and a commitment to inclusive education,” Dr. Cook said. “What makes Lauren truly exceptional is her unwavering dedication to full inclusion for special education students. She’s a leader in implementing innovative models that ensure students receive individualized instruction within the general education setting.”
Miller’s collaborative spirit is evident in her partnerships with teachers across disciplines, as she works to align math, reading, and writing goals to meet each student’s unique needs. Her colleagues describe her as kind, hardworking, and relentless in her commitment to helping every student reach their potential.
Miller started in Bend-La Pine Schools as an educational assistant, where she discovered her passion for helping students with diverse learning needs. Encouraged by her mentors, she earned her teaching license and worked at Rosland Elementary School and La Pine Middle School before joining the team at Cascade Middle School.
Photo credits: Group photo: From right, Board Chair Marcus LeGrand, Superintendent Steven Cook, Board Director Cameron Fischer, Learning Specialist Lauren Miller, Board Director Shirley Olson, Deputy Superintendent Lisa Birk, and from MidOregon Credit Union, Kyle Frick, David Lau and Tina Amato.