Meghan Mills, adapted curriculum teacher at Braelinn Elementary, helps students build skills to shape their future.
As an adapted curriculum teacher, she gets to wear all kinds of hats. Her students work on functional academic and life skills, learning tools that are important at school and at home.
“They’re elementary schoolers first, but they’re also working on so many life skills,” said Mills. “You are their biggest supporter and also help them reach those milestones right alongside their parents.”
She leads a classroom of 6 kids with the help of a parapro. Braelinn has 4 adapted curriculum classrooms split by age, but the whole team works together, comparing data and lessons, sharing victories, and challenging each other to be even better.
They feel that same support throughout the school.
“We have such an inclusive culture here at Braelinn, and we’ve truly been able to integrate our students into everything,” said Mills. “We are visible. Everybody knows our names. We’re kind of like mini-celebrities when we walk down the hall. Everybody wants a high five or a wave.”
Mills always thought she would work with kids in some capacity, but she hadn’t yet settled on a future focus when she was in high school. While at Starr’s Mill High, she had availability in her schedule, and she was placed with the adapted curriculum program as a student intern.
“This path found me in a lot of ways,” she remembered. “Sometimes you’re put where you’re meant to be, and I just fell in love with the kids there and the program.”
From there, she knew her future, and she majored in adapted curriculum in college. She initially thought she would teach at the high school level, but elementary was her first job opportunity, and she quickly fell in love.
“I don’t know if I’ll leave. I definitely like the littles,” she said. “It’s their first school experience. It’s really unique getting to work with the parents. This is often the first time they’ve ever been at a place other than home.”
Mills relishes the victories and bonds she creates with students and their families, even after they move on to another school. They always stay in touch because of how much they meant to each other.
“We never quite leave them.”
She lives for the moments when her students light up from a victory, whether it is big or small. She is helping them learn to be more independent and do things for themselves.
“It’s definitely a calling, and, when you’re in that room and see those kids and those victories, it’s hard for it not to be contagious,” said Mills. “I do everything I do for them. They’re incredible students capable of incredible things, and to get to be a small part of their story is amazing.”
“The Honor Role,” an official podcast for Fayette County Public Schools, features employees, rotating through key stakeholders, including teachers, staff, nurses, custodians, cafeteria workers, and bus drivers. Join us as we dive in and learn about their journeys, their inspirations, and their whys.
Episodes are available on all major podcast platforms, including Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and promoted on the social media channels of Fayette County Public Schools.
Episodes will also be available here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2200811.
Posted 5/20/2025
