GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (GRPS) – The new leader at Aberdeen Academy, Principal Shelley Miller, is driven by a passion for children and a deep commitment to shaping engaged, community-minded scholars.
“Choosing GRPS for me was about choosing an urban school district that develops and cares for the kids,” Miller said. “To raise students who care about the community in which they're in and that have the skills to contribute to their community going forward.”
Her love for education began in childhood, inspired by her Aunt Sue, a dedicated educator.
“I always wanted to be a teacher,” she recalled. “Like a lot of educators, that comes from a family interest or a teacher within the family. For me, that was my Aunt Sue.”
Watching her aunt make a difference in children's lives sparked a desire to start making an impact as soon as possible.
“From the time I was little, I started teaching, whether it was in Sunday School or coaching,” she explained.
Her career has taken her from the classroom to ministry and back, shaping her philosophy as a leader. As principal, she hopes to be a compassionate and supportive presence for both scholars and staff.
“For a student to look at their elementary principal ten years from now, I would want them to be able to say with confidence that she was kind, that she cared about me and understood, but also that she was fair and consistent,” Miller said. “I want teachers to feel both supported and challenged to continue their professional growth as they pour into the scholars that we have.”
With Aberdeen Academy set to join Palmer Elementary in a new elementary school in 2027, Miller is eager to help guide the community through this transition.
“It's quite a privilege to transition the school into a new facility,” she said. “We have some great ways that we're going to combine both Palmer and Aberdeen. Honoring the past is a very important aspect of this.”
For Miller, leading Aberdeen Academy is a calling.
“It's more than just a job,” she said. “It's my heart for the kids, my heart for the future, and encouraging scholars to find that space where they have a love for learning.”
