April 30, 2007

LANSING -Helen Miller was surprised today when she was named 2006-2007 Michigan School Support Person of the Year today during a visit from state Superintendent of Public Instruction Mike Flanagan. Miller is a Special Education Teacher Aide at Jerry L. White Center, housed at Renaissance High School in the Detroit Public Schools.

“Outstanding school employees like Helen are the lifeblood of good schools around the state of Michigan,” Flanagan said. “This award focuses positive attention on the tens of thousands of dedicated school support personnel across the state who rarely receive public recognition for their work.”

Governor Jennifer M. Granholm expressed the following message for Miller: "I want to thank Helen for her incredible dedication and commitment to helping Michigan’s children for over 30 years. She is a wonderful example of the extraordinary people who work hard every day to help our children receive a quality education in a positive environment."

The purpose of the Michigan School Support Person of the Year Award is to honor outstanding school support personnel for their contributions to the success of the learning community, as well as focusing public attention on the tireless work undertaken by school support personnel on a daily basis. This is the fifth year of the program.

“We are delighted to celebrate the contributions of school support personnel in every Michigan school with this award,” said Kathleen N. Straus, State Board of Education President. “Helen represents the unsung heroes in support roles in our school districts.”

“(Miller) is a woman of integrity; a woman who has given all of herself to children for many years. Mrs. Miller does not expect recognition for anything that she does. As her former principal I am so happy to have the opportunity to recognize the instrumental role that she plays in the instructional environment of the classroom, the goals of the school, and her knowledge of the necessary inclusion of all staff, parents, and community partners within the school environment and student achievement,” said Jacqueline Elam.

Miller’s daughter, Krystal Gardner, stated: “My mother thrives in her role as a support person. She has never sought the spotlight. Rather, she works contentedly behind-the-scenes with passion and in excellence. Her reward is not applause or accolades - it is the relationships that she builds with her children, and the small but meaningful triumphs in their lives. Many of these triumphs would be considered minor accomplishments for other children, but they are vitally important milestones in the lives of mentally and physically impaired students. My mother rejoices in each feat.”

Linda Gilmore, teacher and co-worker, stated: “I believe that one of Mrs. Miller’s greatest strengths is her willingness to work with each student at whatever their level of functioning might be. She works tirelessly to meet the physical, emotional, social, and education needs of each individual and to enable these youngsters to exert some control over their environments. She is an advocate for her students wherever she is - in the community, with parents, with teachers, and with other paraprofessionals.”

Miller has been active in many community activities including the Miller Memorial Church of God in Christ, her neighborhood Block Club, and the Special Olympics.

For additional information on the Michigan School Support Person of the Year program, log on to www.michigan.gov/sspoy.