Kindergarten teacher 2012 Texarkana, Ark., Teacher of the Year
By: Nancy Cook
Updated: June 13, 2012
A kindergarten teacher has been named 2012 Texarkana Arkansas Teacher of the Year.
Peggy Mills, who teaches kindergarten at Trice Visual and Performing Arts Magnet, was selected as 2012 Texarkana Arkansas School District Teacher of the Year.
The announcement was made during the year-end breakfast, by Russell Sapaugh, principal.
In 1975, Mills graduated from East Texas State University - Texarkana with a Bachelor of Science degree, and received her Master of Science in Education degree in 1992.
She has been a kindergarten teacher in the Texarkana Arkansas School District for 37 years. Twenty-six of those years were at Carver Kindergarten Center, where she was awarded the Carver Teacher of the Year.
The past 11years of her career have been spent at Trice where she also received Campus Teacher of the Year, twice.
Being a child of two parents who were dedicated to the education of children, Mills knew at a very early age that teaching was her calling. "I believe children live up to the expectations set for them," Mills said.
"Through encouraging words and actions, a child will set their own goals and realize their true potential." Though teaching methods have changed over the years, Mills said the original foundation of teaching remains the same "caring about and nurturing the children you meet every day."
Mills received a Lifetime PTA award and is a member of Delta Kappa Gamma. She attends Beech Street Baptist Church where she has held various positions on committees and is a Sunday school outreach leader.
She is married to Shane Mills and they have a daughter and son-in-law, Cassie and Ben, and a son, Kale. They also have two grandchildren, Whitley and Brady.
"Mrs. Mills is a true example of a teacher making a difference. She carries with her the attitude that with hope and effort, students can and will succeed. We are so appreciative of her being a part of the TASD staff," Sapaugh commented.
