New Staff Members

September 1, 2021

The Miller School District has received new staff members for the 2021-2022 school year. The Rustler Reality team split up and interviewed the new staff members to get to know them.

First up was Mr. Billy McCann, an educational assistant. Tell me about your family. “I have two daughters.” How long have you been in education? “This is my second year.” What made you choose Miller? “We looked close to where we would be working, on the city websites. Miller looked like a nice place to live.” Where did you come from? “I’m from West Virginia.”

Next was Mrs. Ericca Paul, who works in special education. Tell me about your family. “I have a husband and one daughter, Avaya, who is in Junior High.” How long have you been in education? “This is my first year, so just a week.” What made you choose Miller? “It’s a great community, I’ve been here for six years. I wanted to spend more time with children.” Where did you come from? “I came from Sisseton, South Dakota.”

After was Mrs. Jennette Nye, a 7-12 early interventionist. Tell me about your family. “I’ve been married for almost seventeen years. I have 5 kids, 3 girls, 2 boys.” How long have you been in education? “About seven or eight years on and off.” What made you choose Miller? “My husband is from here, we moved back from Texas. To be closer to his family and for his job.” Where did you come from? “Cypress, Texas.”

Following was Mrs. Kelly DiGuilio, the High School art teacher. Tell me about your family. “I’m married, my husband is Pastor Derick, and my dog’s name is Wren.” Tell me about your education. “My degree is in human services and emphasis in art education at the University of Northern Colorado. This is her first-year teaching.” What brought you to Miller? “After graduating college, my husband got a job at the church, we had applied all over the country. We wanted to go where the wind takes us while we are young.” Additional information, she grew up in Fort Collins, Colorado. She enjoys writing and publishes a webcomic. In High School, she played volleyball for fun, was in the National Honors Society, and in choir. She enjoys the small-town feel.

Preceding was Ms. Hannah Caffee, the biology, anatomy, and special education teacher. Why did you choose miller? “I was teaching abroad in Kuwait when Covid-19 hit. I came to visit Miller during the summer and ended up staying. I substituted in Miller last year, I liked the atmosphere and students, so I decided to teach here full time.” What are some hobbies you like to do? “I like embroidery, knitting, crocheting, sewing and like to run and be outside, and garden.” Tell us about your family. “I have four grandparents that live in town and my parents own the Polly Shoe Store. My brother and his wife live in town with my four nephews. My sister lives in Portland, Oregon.” Tell me about your education. “I studied math and biology; then got my master’s degree in education. I went to Marian University Indianapolis and that is where I started teaching.” Additional information, she likes traveling and trying new foods. She is a Miller High School alumni and grew up here.

Next up was Mr. Trey Tiefenthaler, the physical education teacher. What brought you to Miller? “The opportunity to teach Middle School and Elementary P.E and coach three different sports including football, basketball, and track.” Tell me about your education. “I grew up in Brooking, South Dakota, and went to Northern State University where I ran track for 3 years and then transferred to South Dakota State University. At Northern, I went for sports management and marketing, then switched to be a physical education teacher.” Tell me about your family. “My dad is a P.E teacher in Brookings in middle school for 30 years. My mom is a speech therapist for the school districts around Brookings. My sister is a kindergarten teacher in Lincoln, Nebraska.” Are there any hobbies you have? “I enjoy watching Netflix and hanging out in my free time.”

Lastly was Ms. Jerica Zemlicka, the Junior High and High School Math teacher. What made you chose Miller? “I heard it was a good community from Ms. Luczak and wanted to teach Junior High math. Tell me about your education. “I went to SDSU where she got a math degree in special and in teaching.” Tell us about your family. “My family is from north of Watertown, I have two siblings, a brother who has a baby. I have two dogs at my parents’ house.” Where did you grow up? “I went to High School at Waverly South Shore north of Watertown.” Additional information she enjoys watching tv and sports in her free time.

The Rustler Reality team had a great time chatting with the new staff members and look forward to more interviews in the future.