Miller designs winning blueprint for students, staff at Dawes

October 17, 2023

Liz Miller has built positive relationships with many Lincoln Public Schools families with her energetic and supportive personality.
 
She has used those talents to construct a prosperous environment for Dawes Middle School students and staff over the past five years.
 
Miller has designed a blueprint for others to achieve success in academic, behavioral and social ways. The Lincoln native leads a building that includes 415 students and more than 50 teachers and staff members.

 
LPS Director of Secondary Education Jess Fries said Miller has made a difference in the lives of hundreds of people. She felt Miller was a great role model to highlight during National Principals Month.
 
“Liz is an incredible instructional leader!” Fries said. “She created a three-year plan for Dawes and aligns the work of the Dawes team to improve student achievement. Liz is in classrooms on a regular basis and has been intentional about providing regular feedback to teachers to support teachers and improve student learning.”
 
Miller said there are many reasons why she wears a smile on her face when she walks in the front door of Dawes.
 
“I enjoy the partnerships between families, students and staff, because those create an environment for success for our students,” Miller said. “I love the kids, so being able to see their growth is really rewarding, and we have a lot of talented adults who support our students in ways that are inspiring.”

 
Miller grew up in Lincoln and is a product of Lincoln Public Schools. The educator attended classes at Meadow Lane Elementary School, Culler Middle School and Northeast High School. She earned education degrees in both English and social studies at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and she later earned a master’s degree in educational leadership from Doane University.
 
Miller began her career teaching English classes at a school in San Antonio, Texas. She returned to Lincoln and worked at Goodrich Elementary School, Park Middle School and East High School. She was an interim associate principal at Goodrich, instructional coordinator at Park and assistant principal at East.
 
Miller pursued the Dawes job when it became available and received recommendations from multiple mentors. She said her roles at other schools helped prepare her for the leadership position.
 
“I feel fortunate to have been in five amazing schools,” Miller said. “I’ve learned something from each of those experiences, and that’s had a profound impact on the way I see the educational field.”

 
Miller has devoted a large amount of time working with teachers in all subject areas. She evaluates classroom strategies and provides both encouragement and support to staff members.
 
She has also been instrumental in hiring and developing highly-qualified staff. Nebraska Department of Education statistics show that 34.86 percent of Dawes teachers had a master’s degree in 2019-20. That number rose to 44.55 percent just two years later.
 
Miller said it is important to let staff members know they are valued and respected in the building.
 
“That’s one of the best parts of the job,” Miller said. “We have expert teachers here, and it provides a lot of joy when you’re able to partner with them to make a plan for helping students. Being able to support our staff in what they do is very rewarding. Sometimes it might be a small thing or it might be a big thing, but it all matters. It’s a shared investment for all of us here.”

 
Miller said it was essential to give students that same level of care and attention. She spent several minutes one morning visiting with family and consumer sciences (FCS) students in their classroom. She watched them make food and congratulated them as they followed the recipe steps. She repeated those helpful actions in other parts of the school throughout the day.
 
“It’s amazing to see them succeed,” Miller said. “It’s why we do what we do. We have amazing, smart and talented students here, and it’s a lot of fun to watch them grow, whether that’s from a personal standpoint or in their academics.”
 
People both inside and outside the building have noticed the accomplishments of Dawes students and staff. Foundation for Lincoln Public Schools employees presented Dawes with the Inspire School of the Year Award in 2022. The foundation recognized everyone for making substantial progress on the school improvement plan Miller helped create.

 
Miller’s education-based architectural skills begin with an optimistic view of life. She said she arrives at Dawes every day eager to help students reach their positive goals.
 
“Middle schoolers are so alive and joyous and very genuine,” Miller said. “They’re at that stage of life where they’re trying to become an adult, but they’re still very youthful and happy to share everything that’s going on in their lives. It’s a privilege to be here with them.”
 
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