Meet Meile

"I was raised in a teaching family; my Mom, a first grade teacher and my Dad, a sixth grade teacher. My parents encouraged me to explore other career options during college, adding an extra year of studies only to achieve the inevitable . . ." -- Meile Harris

Meile began teaching mathematics at the high school level, but an experience in a junior high in Los Angeles exposed her to the middle school model. She was inspired by the power of this kind of teaching, so she changed her grade focus to the middle level and returned to Idaho. She quickly became involved in the change process at a number of junior high schools in the area. She was a practiced team teacher when she arrived at O'Leary, but continued to develop skills as a team member as the process of O'Leary's transformation into a high functioning school continued.

"This conversion has been an incredible process! It is indisputable that teachers working together to develop meaningful instruction ... during extended periods of time, carefully aligning multiple curriculum, instruction, and assessment, can accomplish astounding, yet measurable results." -- Meile Harris

Meile attributes other positive factors such as lower absenteeism, fewer discipline referrals, and the rising excitement and energy among teachers with keeping her at the middle level. Strong district emphasis on curriculum alignment helps her focus, and allows her to direct her energies on how to teach instead of what to teach.

Meile continues to be a part of the change process in the district. She is involved in the District's committee for math performance standards. She was involved in the school improvement process, looking for ways to increase success for students. Her philosophy about student achievment and teacher involvement in the change process is evident.

"I believe that we expect too little from many of our students. All students need to master algebraic concepts but not all students will be able to do this unless we change the methods used to deliver instruction. Teachers need to provide the necessary manipulatives, tools, and technical resources to ensure student success in mathematics beyond a basic level. To hold students' interest, math must also be applicable." -- Meile Harris

Teaming with Theresa the past five years has provided many opportunities for students to apply and transfer math skills into the world of science.