Bend-La Pine Schools presented its Educator of the Year award Wednesday to Lauren Miller, a Learning Specialist at Cascade Middle School. She is one of three employees being honored this fall in the districtโs Excellence in Education recognition program.
Superintendent Steven Cook and other District administrators, along with School Board directors and members of Millerโs family, celebrated her during a surprise morning visit to Cascade. Representatives of MidOregon Credit Union presented the school with a $500 check in honor of the recognition.
โLauren is a standout leader and advocate for students who is full of creativity, compassion, and a commitment to inclusive education,โ Dr. Cook said. โWhat makes Lauren truly exceptional is her unwavering dedication to full inclusion for special education students. Sheโs a leader in implementing innovative models that ensure students receive individualized instruction within the general education setting.โ
Millerโs collaborative spirit is evident in her partnerships with teachers across disciplines, as she works to align math, reading, and writing goals to meet each student’s unique needs. Her colleagues describe her as kind, hardworking, and relentless in her commitment to helping every student reach their potential.
Miller started in Bend-La Pine Schools as an educational assistant, where she discovered her passion for helping students with diverse learning needs. Encouraged by her mentors, she earned her teaching license and worked at Rosland Elementary School and La Pine Middle School before joining the team at Cascade Middle School.
This story is based on submitted information and has not been verified by our news team.
This article appears in Source Weekly November 7, 2024.








