Melanie Miller is the program manager and a volunteer for Junior Achievement, a nonprofit organization.
A Marion native, she graduated from Marion High School and earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh and a few years later got her master’s from Viterbo University in La Crosse. She taught third grade for five years in Racine followed by one year in third through fourth at the Oneida Tribal School.
After moving back to this area, Miller demonstrated for Home Interiors and Gifts for nine years. She also was a substitute teacher and taught summer school in the Shawano School District. Miller then was the home/school coordinator at Olga Brener Intermediate School for two years and taught fifth grade there before retiring last year.
She is a gardener who works part time in the summer at Qualheim’s Landscape Center.
Miller has a daughter in college and lives in the town of Belle Plaine. She enjoys golf and walking with her dog.
Q How long have you been with Junior Achievement?
A “I’m the program manager in the Wolf River District. I was a full-time teacher for 30 years and I had Junior Achievement volunteers come to my classroom. So there was a wonderful transition from being a classroom teacher to being able to volunteer in the classroom after retiring last year. I find the volunteers that present the Junior Achievement activities in the classrooms in 12 schools in our area.”
Q What does JA teach?
A “Our main focus is to help students become more financially literate, help them see their entrepreneurial potential and help them with workplace readiness skills. I taught Finance Park Virtual for seventh grade, Our Nation program at the Tribal School in Neopit, and I assisted for the It’s My Future program for the seventh grade. I was able to visit classrooms and observe volunteers so I could get more familiar with the program. JA is designed for kindergarten through 12th grade.”
Q How many volunteers do you have?
A “This past year, I ran 160 programs and relied on business people, parents, grandparents, retirees, National Honor Society students and College of Menominee Nation staff. They go to schools in Shawano, Gresham, Bonduel, Keshena and Neopit. You can volunteer in a classroom, help with or attend events, or offer financial support personally or through your business. There are always spots for volunteers.”
Q Where else do you volunteer?
A “For 16 years, I’ve been helping at the Shawano County Humane Society. The first six years I was working with animals and since then it’s been helping with events like the Whisker Walk. At First Presbyterian Church, I’m a ruling elder. I volunteer for Sunday school, Kids Klub board, and help with setting up displays.”
Q Why do you volunteer?
A “I think it’s important to give back to the community that helps support you. You do get a sense of satisfaction seeing that you have filled a need.”
To volunteer or for more information about JA, email Miller at mmiller@jawis.org.
