Hot Springs history teacher Robin

Miller was honored with a KECI Gold Star Award, an award given by

the Missoula television news station KECI in recognition of

outstanding teachers.

For Miller, the whole thing came as a bit of a shock. At an awards

ceremony at the Hot Springs School during the week of Dec. 13, Hot

Springs Superintendent Larry Markuson called out Miller and

informed her that she had won the award.

“It was a big surprise,” Miller said. “I had no idea.”

A native of Thompson Falls, Miller has been a faculty member of the

Hot Springs School for 12 years. This year marks Miller’s second

year teaching history. She worked as the elementary library aide

for over 10 years.

According to Markuson, this is the award’s 20th year. Anyone in the

community can nominate teachers for the award, including students,

other teachers or staff members. Nine awards are given throughout

the course of the year.

KECI uses a panel of educators who go through the nominees and

choose the winners.

KECI contacted Markuson and let him know that she had won, and that

they would be sending out a plaque as part of the commemoration.

Markuson felt that the award came as a huge honor for Miller, as

well as a boost for someone who has only been teaching for two

years.

“Any time you’re recognized for what you choose to do for a living

is a huge positive. It always helps with your personal motivation,”

Markuson said. “To know they have a panel of educators going

through the nominations probably bolsters that a little more, when

you realize that you’re being recognized by your peers.”

Markuson sees this award as recognition of Miller’s hard

work.

“Robin is here early every day, and here late every night. She is

here over the weekends,” Markuson said. “She works very hard at her

job.”

The awards ceremony was held about two days before KECI crews made

it to the school, which also served as a bit of a warning for

Miller that there would be TV cameras in her classroom.

The award also recognizes Miller’s exceptional attitude as well as

her hard work, according to Markuson.

“Robin’s got one of those personalities that it’s really, really

hard to—not that you would try—be down in her presence,” Markuson

said. “She’s always got a smile, and she’s always a very positive

person.”

Markuson also said that when people are recognized in this way,

whatever field it is, by their peers, they are usually people who

are doing the job not because it’s a paycheck, because it’s

something they love to do, which is a trait that he sees being

reflected in Miller.

For Miller, the whole process has been both wonderful and a tad

surreal.

“I was really, really surprised, and I really felt honored,” Miller

said.