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Copper Hills High teacher Wendi Miller has range. She's that rare educator able to reach students at both ends of the learning spectrum.
Miller teaches both AP Art History and resource English at the West Jordan school, and she moves seamlessly between the roles.
"She's able to adjust the way she teaches to the kids that are there each day in her classes," said Copper Hills High Assistant Principal Bryan Leggat, who's in charge of the school's special-ed program. "She's developed a bag of teaching tricks to inspire kids that don't want to learn and push those that may get bored easily in school."
Miller -- who also heads the Peer Leadership Team -- was honored by the Utah Education Association at the recent Superstars in Education Banquet. She, along with nine other top teachers throughout the state, won an Excellence in Teaching Award. She received a plaque and a check for $1,500 courtesy of William and Pat Child.
"Hearing about the accomplishments of all the other people who got the award was a humbling experience," Miller said. "It's just amazing [to be surrounded by such outstanding teachers.]"
Second-year Copper Hills High Principal Todd Quarnberg met Miller a little more than a year ago, and already she's one of his "favorite people."
"She is the teacher that can do anything," Quarnberg said.
Is it unusual to be able to teach advanced courses and special-ed in a single day?
"I've never seen it
Says the principal, "I know she's in education for the right reasons. She loves to work with kids."
Miller especially loves getting students passionate about school -- whether they're learning about famous impressionists in her AP Art History course or developing a love of books for the first time after a lifetime of struggling with reading.
"What I love about teaching is, as soon as you can see the light turn on in a kid's eyes, you know you've got them," Miller said. "A lot of times, resource kids haven't had a lot of success in school. When you get them to a point where they actually look forward to coming, that's what's rewarding."
Miller, a Cottonwood High graduate in her fifth year teaching public school, started out as a special-ed teacher at Copper Hills.
Since then, she's added advanced classes to her repertoire. In addition to AP history, she also teaches a college-level humanities course. Her students receive college credit through Salt Lake Community College.
"She brings a passion that a lot of us struggle to [maintain]," Quarnberg said. "Did I mention she's amazing?"
