From Pretending to be a Teacher to Becoming one: Halle McMillen Follows her Passion

For as long as she can remember, Halle McMillen has always wanted to be a teacher. McMillen remembers playing “school” as a child and being awestruck by her own elementary school educators. The early admiration she had for her own teachers turned into a desire to teach, especially after a formative experience during her senior year of high school. 

“I took a cadet teaching course as an elective and got to work closely in a second-grade classroom,” she recalled. “I absolutely loved the experience, and it confirmed for me that education was the right path.”

After spending the past two years as a K-6 social-emotional interventionist at Renaissance Elementary Magnet School in Castle Rock, Colorado, McMillen has found a new passion for supporting Tier 3 students; those who need the most individualized and intensive support. 

Now with the help of the Albion Center Scholarship for Educator Excellence, which will cover up to 70% of her graduate tuition, she is pursuing a Master of Education in Special Education at Idaho State University. 

“I love working with students in smaller settings to help them reach their academic and social-emotional goals,” she said. “I’m especially looking forward to strengthening my skills and learning best practices for Tier 3 support.”

Looking ahead, McMillen hopes to continue working as a special education teacher or eventually moving into an administrative role like a special education coordinator where she can support students and colleagues at a broader level.

“This scholarship makes it possible,” she shared. “Without it, a second graduate degree would have been out of reach. It’s a huge financial relief and gives me the opportunity to keep growing in my career.”

Her connection to the Albion Center for Professional Development began with professional development courses she enrolled in to move up the pay scale in her Colorado school district. She was immediately drawn in by the engaging content and the ability to work through the courses at her own pace.

Now, as a scholarship recipient and graduate student, McMillen is turning her early interest in teaching into something much bigger: a career centered on meaningful, individualized support for students who need it most.

The Albion Center Scholarship for Educator Excellence will provide McMillen with up to $4,000 per semester, with a lifetime maximum of $16,000.