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9Teachers Who Care: Ms. Miller has 21st century learners

The question "are you smarter than a fifth grader" should be changed to "are you smarter than a third or fourth grader."
Stacy Miller

CASTLE ROCK - The question "are you smarter than a fifth grader" should be changed to "are you smarter than a third or fourth grader."

Stacy Miller's combined class of third and fourth graders at Clear Sky Elementary School in Castle Rock take on complex subjects with ease. The entire school focuses on project-based learning.

Miller takes that curriculum to a whole new level for the kids, which she calls, "21st century learners."

"Last year, we got to build houses," student Caleb Mamula said.

He really did do that. The students designed and built 3D models that followed building codes, and then had the models reviewed by experts in the field who signed off on them.

Miller's class also learns about other parts of the world by having video conferences with people who live there.

When the kids asked about the finances, Miller put together a mock exchange where the children learned the business by actually trading stocks.

Just in the last month, Miller's students have turned to engineering. In a recent class, the children were building ramps for Matchbox cars.

"We're trying to figure out how potential and kinetic energy work," one student said. "We're trying to build up potential energy so the car will be able to go off a ramp or do a loop-de-loop and get across the whole track."

"It's awesome, just amazing," Miller said. "As they're building these ramps. It's clicking with them: the runaway ramps along I-70 in the mountains. They realize an engineer really had to think that process through about how to make that slope."

Miller has taught for more than 10 years. She says it's her love for learning that inspires her along with the children's desire to understand some big topics.

"I was a 'why person,'" Miller said. "It would drive my father crazy when I asked 'but why? but why?' Once I saw a purpose, it was like 'oh.' That's the way it works with them as well."

No matter how challenging the topic, Miller feels any student can grasp it through the project based learning.

Miller says there are three components - she calls them the 3 Cs - that make the lessons interesting doable for the kids: communication, critical thinking and collaboration.

There is a lot of teamwork that plays into each class. The students get so excited that they all participate.

"Because of Mrs. Miller, my son is unbelievably eager to learn," parent Julie Waggoner said. "Mrs. Miller has a very contagious passion for learning. She makes her students want to be better people. Mrs. Miller molds her students into people who will be the leaders of tomorrow."

To that, Miller is flattered but questions what really lies ahead for these 9- and 10-year-olds.

"These kids are going to grow up and have jobs that aren't even here yet," Miller said. "How do you prepare them? Kids need to think differently, process information differently."

Miller is also eager to support other teachers at Clear Sky by sharing her insight and working one-on-one. Last year, her peers chose her to be Clear Sky's "Teacher of the Year."

A mother of five grown boys, Miller also extends a lot of love and encouragement to her students.

In fact, it was one of her students, Caleb Mamula who worked with his mother and other parents and staff to nominate Miller for the 9Teachers Who Care award.

"I just wanted her to get the award for being who she is and how nice she is," Mamula said.

"It's fun. It's not a job," Miller said. "It's not a job at all. I love it."

If you know a passionate teacher like Stacy Miller who is making a profound impact on her students and would like to nominate him/her for the 9Teachers Who Care award program, visit: http://on9news.tv/1HJ9ZhI.

(KUSA-TV © 2015 Multimedia Holdings Corporation)

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