EDAD 5360
Unit 1 Introduction
Penk!
Is all I hear these days during the Spring season of baseball. When I am not
watching a baseball game for my son, I am grading papers for forty 4th graders. I
decided it wasn't enough on my plate, so I went back to school for Educational
Leadership. The last time I was in school was 19 years ago. Yikes!
Good Evening! I am Nanette Mills and teach in Burkburnett, Texas
for Burkburnett ISD. My town is located two hours Northeast of Dallas and seven miles
from the Oklahoma/Texas border. We are a small town with one high school and
middle school. We have a traditional K-5 campus that serves the nearby Sheppard
AFB. In town we have a primary (Pre-K - 2nd) campus and a 3-5 campus, where I
teach. I teach ELAR/Texas History, team lead for our grade level of eight team
members, and on our campus Design Team. We are in our second year as a PBL
District. We have adopted Project Based Learning as our instructional model for our
entire district.
I am prior active duty and then continued to support my husband in his 28-year
service. I have taught in Japan, Germany, Oman, as well as Texas. I have taught
second, third and fourth self-contained (yes, you read that right, all subjects for 20 fourth
grade students!). I have served as a Literacy Support Specialist and Literacy
Coach. My travels to different countries and districts have afforded me the opportunity
to see many styles of good and bad leadership. At each new place, I have found myself
venturing into leadership roles whether by choice or invitation. At each campus, I have
gained the respect and trust of my leadership to make the right decisions and make the
difficult ones when needed. I have been encouraged by many to step into the
administration realm of education. I consider myself a continuous learner and hope
each of the courses I take will shed light on ways I can be a better leader and inspire
others to do so as well.
Even though I am a 19-year seasoned teacher, I am still learning and refining my art
of teaching. I desire to be an instructional leader and mentor to others. This will be my
fifth class of 10 classes and hope to file for graduation next Spring. On a personal note,
I have three children: 25yr, 19 yr., and 15 yr. I am married to my best friend, Josh, of 27
years. I am blessed with one granddaughter who lives too far away in Tulsa! I have
never met a stranger, you’re only a guest in my house once, because after that your
family. I love BB-Q, reading on a cool porch and the Dallas Cowboys. Looking forward
to learning with everyone.
Nanette Mills