From helping preschoolers master a computer mouse to guiding older students as they build and code robots, Gary Miller encourages creativity at every age. But his impact at Cuyahoga Heights Elementary School extends well beyond the technology classroom. Whether he is supporting a colleague, organizing a family event or helping dismissal run smoothly, Gary is someone the school community can count on.
That dedication earned him recognition as October’s Staff Spotlight recipient by the Cuyahoga Heights Board of Education.
Gary began his career at Cuyahoga Heights in 2002 as a teaching assistant. He went on to teach in the first- and second-grade, kindergarten and first-grade, and second- and third-grade loops, followed by two years teaching third-grade math. Today, as the PreK–5 technology teacher, he helps students develop skills through hands-on exploration, creative computer projects and building challenges.
For Gary, one of the best parts of teaching is giving students the freedom to create and seeing what they can accomplish at such a young age. A self-described “big kid at heart,” he brings a playful spirit to his work, even offering a Chewbacca impression when the occasion calls for it.
His willingness to help is just as much a part of his school day. Gary took the lead in implementing School Dismissal Manager, working through challenges to support a smooth dismissal process for students, families and staff. Within just a few weeks, he learned parents’ names and recognized their vehicles, adding a personal connection and an extra layer of safety to the end of each day.
Colleagues also appreciate the way Gary recognizes a need and steps in without being asked. He covers classes, fills in for morning announcements and generously shares his time over the summer to help Principal Joel Melvin transition into the elementary building during his first year. Through his leadership of the CHES GALA, Gary helped bring district families together, and when the Veterans Day event needed a new organizer, he readily volunteered.
Outside of school, Gary enjoys golf, camping, kayaking and watching his children’s activities. He and his wife, Laura, a special education teacher in Medina, are recent empty nesters. Their son, Logan, is a junior at Kent State University, where he plays hockey and is pursuing middle school education. Their daughter, Bailey, is a freshman studying business at Miami University in Ohio. At home, the couple has Lola, a French bulldog they adopted about a year ago.
After more than two decades at Cuyahoga Heights, Gary is now teaching children whose parents were once his students, a milestone he jokes is a sign that retirement is getting closer.
For the students, families and colleagues who know him, those years represent a lasting commitment to CHES. His kindness, dependability and readiness to lend a hand make him a valued part of the school community and a deserving October Staff Spotlight honoree.
Congratulations on being named October’s Staff Spotlight, Mr. Miller! Thank you for encouraging our students’ creativity, supporting your colleagues and making CHES a welcoming place for families. We are grateful for the care, enthusiasm and sense of fun you bring to our school each day!