The Ohio State University at Lima

Paige Miller’s scholarships meant she has been able to push forward on a path in early childhood education and special education intervention, while still focusing on the person who inspired her to choose her educational path in the first place.

“My brother Parker has definitely inspired me to see – I don't see the disability, I see the ability. He opened my eyes to see the possibilities of what I could do to help other children that are like him, that need the extra help, that need the support and an advocate in their life.”

The Miller siblings are just three years apart and will graduate from college and high school 20 days apart. Big sister Paige has been part of everything her brother does from homework to school events. Working in one of his elementary classrooms started her on the path to special education licensure. Some of his extracurriculars like equestrian therapy and Special Olympics are volunteer activities that Paige will continue and expand on after graduation.

“Parker is involved in Special Olympics and I go to all of his events and help him, but I would really like to take it a step further and become a coach or somehow be an advocate or volunteer throughout those – even more than I am now.”

Because she didn’t have to work a full-time job in addition to the full-time job of being a student teacher, Paige was able to push herself hard academically and will graduate a year early.

“If it wasn't for scholarships, I would not be in college. I would not be graduating a whole year early. I just wouldn't be graduating at all.”

Scholarships made it possible for Paige to grab other opportunities as they developed. Part way through her senior field placement, her cooperating school needed someone to do reading intervention. After discussion with her advisor, Paige was able to take the part-time job in her field while continuing to student teach in the afternoons.

Now as she prepares for graduation with a Bachelor of Science in Education, she is also preparing her first solo classroom. Paige has been hired to be an intervention specialist for K-4 for the Auglaize County ESC. Fittingly, she will be taking the place of her brother’s first teacher.
Paige is excited for the future and grateful to everyone who helped her get to this point. She hopes her scholarship donors understand how much they have given her even beyond the scholarships.

“You will never know what you have done for me, what you have given me—the opportunity and the possibilities for a higher education. You gave me so much. Thank you.”

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Paige Miller is completing coursework at Ohio State Lima for a P-5 general education license and a K-12 mild/moderate special education license.