Dr. Jennifer Miller still remembers a moment from middle school that helped shape the direction of her career.
She was sitting beside a classmate in pre-algebra who seemed completely uninterested in the lesson. Instead of working on equations, he spent class carefully sketching an intricate picture of a tractor.
Most people may have seen a distracted student. Miller saw someone whose interests could have been used to make learning meaningful.
"I remember thinking what a missed opportunity it was," Miller said. "There was so much math involved in tractors, and I knew he probably had the ability to fix and maintain them. I wanted to work with students whose potential maybe hadn't been fully recognized yet."
That experience stayed with her and eventually led her into special education, where she has spent her career helping students discover their strengths and succeed in ways that fit their individual needs.
Now, Miller is bringing that passion to Carroll County Schools as the district's new Director of Special Education. She will replace Jenna Stevens, who is retiring in October.
Originally from Gallatin County, Miller joins Carroll County after serving as Assistant Director of Special Education in Boone County, where she earned her doctorate degree. Before moving into administration, she taught special education for more than 14 years at Crittenden-Mt. Zion Elementary School in Grant County, during which time she completed both her master's degree and Director of Special Education certification.
Education has always been part of her life. Both of her parents were educators, and she knew from an early age that teaching was the career she wanted to pursue.
When she learned about the opportunity in Carroll County, she saw it as the right next step.
"I was excited because I wanted to further my leadership as a director of special education," Miller said. "I'm excited to be here and see how I can serve the students, teachers and community of Carroll County."
As she begins her new role, Miller is taking time to learn about the district while building on programs that are already making a difference.
"I definitely see strengths that Carroll County already has, especially in early childhood and transition services," she said. "I want to continue building on those strengths."
One area she hopes to expand is parent involvement. Miller understands that the special education process can sometimes feel confusing or intimidating, especially for families experiencing it for the first time.
"I want parents to feel like they understand the process and know they have resources available," she said. "Whether that's through information on the district website or other supports, I want families to feel confident and involved in their child's education."
Supporting teachers is another priority. Miller's doctoral research focused on professional learning communities and how they can reduce burnout and improve retention among self-contained special education teachers. She believes collaboration is especially valuable for educators who may be the only teacher in their building serving students with specific needs.
"It's important for teachers in specialized roles to have opportunities to connect with others doing similar work," she said. "Those conversations help teachers grow, share ideas and feel supported."
Miller also plans to spend plenty of time visiting classrooms across the district.
"I want to see what's happening in classrooms and learn what resources teachers and students need," she said. "If there are ways I can connect with organizations or find additional support, I want to help make those connections."