Pictured with Service to Youth recipient Angela Miller are (left to right) Sunrise Rotarian Jamie North, Westerville Walmart store manager Jennifer Wingo, Westerville Central Principal Todd Spinner, and Sunrise Rotarians Kristin Moosmiller, Gretchen Kiehl and Paul Kulik.
Angela Miller, a teacher at Westerville Central High School, was surprised on January 26 when a group of Sunrise Rotarians showed up at a staff meeting to present her with the Diane J. Conley Rotary Club of Westerville Sunrise Service to Youth award. She received a plaque from the club, along with a cake and a gift card donated by the Walmart Supercenter on Schrock Road. In addition, an American flag will be flown in her honor during Westerville’s Field of Heroes display. Miller and other Service to Youth award winners will be honored at a breakfast in May.
Last year, as part of the Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol (SIOP) model, Miller began teaching mathematics to English as a Second Language (ESL) learners. Her attitude with and attention to these students has greatly improved their success and helped them assimilate into the school culture. According to her nominator, Miller is a positive and encouraging teacher who provides ESL students with a classroom where they feel safe to be themselves without being judged. She helps other teachers rewrite their tests and construct lessons to assist ESL pupils and prevents them from “falling through the cracks.”
Rotary Sunrise instituted Service to Youth awards five years ago to recognize exceptional school employees who have made a special contribution to youth; have served as a positive role model for young people; and have demonstrated service above and beyond the call of duty in performing their job responsibilities. The award is named in honor of Sunrise Rotarian Diane Conley, retired Chief of Academic Affairs for Westerville City Schools.