Miller looks to continue growth as new Caston superintendent
Jan. 11—When Angela Miller arrived at the Caston School Corporation eight years ago, the sense of family within was very strong. She knew she wanted to call the school home for as long as possible.
Miller recently took over as the school's superintendent, replacing Paul Voigt, who became superintendent at Smith Green Community Schools in Churubusco, Indiana.
She graduated from Manchester College and later earned her master's in elementary education from Indiana University Kokomo and an administrative license from Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne.
She began her career in education as an art teacher in the Whitko School Corporation before acting as principal at Tippecanoe Valley School Corporation's Mentone Elementary.
A former co-worker, who had moved on to Caston, called Miller to tell her about a curriculum position at the school. Miller applied and was picked for the position. In the role, she worked with the elementary and high school principals and the school's leadership teams on textbook adoption, curriculum development and instructional practices.
"As a curriculum person, I am always going to lean toward instruction," Miller said. "Every administrator in the school corporation should be an instructional leader. I don't think we can ever leave that. We are still a teacher even though we are an administrator."
One of her immediate goals is improving test scores. Art, her first educational role and a passion, can play a role in that.
"Everybody wants to focus on assessment — we have to as a school, that's what we are being measured by," she said. "But the way things have changed in terms of assessment is it's moved from rote memorization to creative thinking. I think art and music play a big role in that."
Instead of memorization, the tests now focus on problem solving, and Miller feels the arts are key in developing those skills and need to be practiced alongside English, math, science and social studies.
Continuing the strategic plan that began two years ago is also key for the school, she said.
The strategic plan focuses on four goals and values: culture, communication, campus and curriculum.
"With culture, we are looking to expand on that family feeling and make sure everyone feels like they belong and that they are thriving," Miller said. "I think that is very important coming out of COVID. We've all seen the impact and issues from people who don't feel as safe as they used to and I think we have to work on that. When you feel safe, you can learn."
Communication is about sharing what Caston is doing with the community. Campus is a focus because the school is experiencing growing pains — and that's a positive, Miller said, but space is limited.
"So we are trying to take a look at this campus and this building to see how it can either be reorganized or utilized to its fullest potential," she said.
When more space is available, Miller hopes to bring preschool to Caston.
She was also hopeful to create more opportunities for students to experience community service. Caston High School seniors are already required to do a senior project that is community service focused in order to graduate. This is a Caston graduation standard, unique to the school. Miller would like younger students to have a chance to also help and learn from the community.
"We forget about the classroom of the world and all the things we can learn because we really need strong people and leaders who can go into our communities," Miller said. "What better place to learn it than with help and support (from teachers). The seed needs to be planted early."
Miller is excited to have a new role at Caston and felt the future is bright. They have an undefeated girls basketball team and "Project Lead the Way," which introduces students to engineering skills and continues to build on those as students age. There are also more class and test options offered at the school, saving families the time and money it would take to travel elsewhere for testing or taking a duel-credit class.
"I think (Caston) is very strong right now and one of our benefits is being small," said Miller. "I want to continue to grow, but I want to make sure we keep that small family atmosphere. I think that is very important to the identity of the school corporation."
