Leigh Mills

Background

About Leigh Mills

I am originally from Orlando, Florida, where I attended elementary and secondary school. When I began my undergraduate degree in English, I never considered becoming a teacher. My mother had been a high school English teacher, but it had never been on my radar to follow in her footsteps. But that all changed during my junior year of college when my advisor suggested I minor in education. So, I enrolled in an introductory education class that required me to tutor a middle school student at a local school. Through that experience, I discovered a passion for teaching and helping students grow academically. I graduated from the University of Florida with honors, earning a bachelor's degree in English and a minor in education. Next, I earned my Master of Science in Teaching Adolescent English Education at the State University of New York in 2012. Shortly after that, I was hired by Southern Cayuga School District in upstate New York as a 7th and 8th-grade Language Arts teacher. I taught at their junior/senior high school for five years, teaching a project-based learning course with an Art teacher and Language Arts sections co-taught with a reading specialist. I moved to Missouri in 2016 and acquired a position at the Rockwood School district as a 7th grade Language Arts teacher at Wildwood Middle School. During my first year at Wildwood Middle School, the head principal, Dr. Allison Klouse, encouraged me to consider leading within the building and believed my colleagues would benefit from my knowledge and expertise. She coached me, believed in me, and pushed me to accept a position as the school's professional development representative and the Language Arts department lead. Since then, I have also joined the Rockwood Learning Council and Building Leadership team. Through those experiences and her guidance, I have developed myself as an empathic leader who actively listens and works tirelessly to build trusting, collaborative relationships, foster a positive culture, and ensure all students reach their fullest potential. I reside in Eureka with my son and rescue dog Reigny. In my spare time, I enjoy traveling, testing new recipes, and spending time outdoors.