New Hope-Solebury Educator Nominated For PA Teacher Of The Year

NEW HOPE, PA — A New Hope-Solebury kindergarten teacher is up for the 2023 Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year award.

Jacqueline Miller teaches at the Lower Elementary School, demonstrating a "tireless dedication to fostering student growth, supporting her colleagues, and advancing the district's educational initiatives," according to an announcement from the New Hope-Solebury School District on Monday.

Megan Lottier, a parent of one of Miller's former students, said she is a talented educator and an incredible person.

“She observes, listens, and incorporates creativity into her love for teaching, which has a lasting impact on her students, well after they leave her classroom," she said.

Colleague Mara Hess said Miller's teaching in her kindergarten classroom is characterized by phrases including, "You are so respectful, responsible, safe, and kind,” and "When we work together, we are better.”

Each morning, Miller selects a "GRIT Leader" among her students who will be given a host of responsibilities for the day, such as leading their morning meeting, running checks to make sure their peers are accounted for as they transition spaces, passing out papers, answering the phone, and leading the closing meeting. The GRIT Leader is recorded leading the meetings and the videos are shared on a ClassDojo account(much like a Twitter feed) so the families can see their child shine.

“As we prepare students to be contributing citizens of the world, it is critical they learn to stretch beyond their comfort zone, to support each other, and to be confident leaders," Miller said. "The GRIT Leader is an activity that helps students develop these important skills in a fun and encouraging way."

In her teaching, Miller is committed to empowering her students to speak — and she uses their voices to better understand their needs. She often asks questions such as “How will this help our community?” and “When would this be important to use?”

Jennifer Bloom, principal of New Hope-Solebury Lower Elementary School, said Miller "makes sure her students own the conversations in the classroom, carefully crafting her lessons to involve self-discovery, inquiry-based learning, and further wonderings so the learning never really ends."

But her work doesn't stop at the classroom. According to a news release from the district, she is also an active and inspiring contributor to various New Hope-Solebury programs and initiatives.

Miller serves on the Comprehensive Planning, Health and Safety, Career and College Pathways, and Communications Advisory Councils. She is the Lower Elementary School’s literacy, math, and social studies representative, and a member of both the School Wide Positive Behavior and Interventions and Multi-Tiered Systems of Support committees.

Miller is also one of New Hope-Solebury's Equity Coordinators, helping to plan and facilitate lessons in inclusion for grades K-5, and "furthering the District’s goal of providing equitable access to all students."

As a member of the technology team, she spends summers studying the latest technology trends and was a critical support to her colleagues at the onset of the pandemic.

“During the pandemic, our school began to utilize Canvas to streamline remote learning," fellow kindergarten teacher Karen Moeser said. "Mrs. Miller learned to use the new technology and then shared her learning by hosting a teacher training event through the Bucks County Intermediate Unit. ... Mrs. Miller is the definition of a collaborative teacher, as she is always happy and willing to share her knowledge with others.”

Superintendent Charles Lentz echoed the praise for Miller.

“As a teacher who is highly regarded by our students, families, colleagues, and community, we are delighted to see Jacqueline Miller recognized for her many contributions to our schools,” he said. “We are proud of her accomplishments and wish her well as the process moves forward.”

Finalists for Teacher of the Year are typically announced in late spring.

Last year, a sixth grade teacher at New Hope-Solebury Middle School, Caitlin Keiper, was one of just twelve finalists for the honor.

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