With a megawatt smile and a twinkle in her eyes, DeKalb West School teacher Sheila McMillen walks into the cafeteria to a group of adoring fans. “Mrs. Sheila! Mrs. Sheila!” gush a group of young children as they run up to the second grade teacher and embrace her with hugs.

“I have always loved working with children,” McMillen says. “They may not realize this, but they bring such joy to my life.  I think that feeling of joy gets greater each year. They bless my heart every day.”

Her loving nurturing spirit is one of the reasons peers selected the 26-year teaching veteran for February Teacher of the Month.

“My children and I both love her very much,” says Coach/P.E. teacher Kelly Pyburn. “She is so kind and thoughtful. She always puts in extra time to make our students feel loved, cared for and pushed to be their best.  Mrs. Sheila is the best!”

“She always has a smile on her face and genuinely loves her students,” says 5th grade teacher Nadina Martel. “She is always on the list when students are talking about their favorite teachers.”

“Mrs. Sheila's love for her students and her job shows each and every day!” adds Librarian Amanda Mullinax.

Born in Smithville, Mrs. McMillen graduated from D.C.H.S, but she waited before going to college.

“I have always wanted to be a teacher,” McMillen said. “I can't remember a time that I didn't. When I graduated from high school, I didn't go straight to college to be a teacher though. I got a good job right before graduation and went to work while taking a few classes at night.  God kept opening doors though and kept that desire burning in my heart. I finally finished college, and I am so glad that I did.”

“Mrs. Sheila is one of those teachers that you can honestly say is living her calling,” 3rd grade teacher Rachel Desimone said. “She is not only a natural educator, but so much more to her students. She goes above and beyond to make each student feel special and loved. Mrs. Sheila was one of the first friends I made professionally here at DWS and one of my daughter’s first teachers here that made a lasting impact. She is so deserving of this February’s Teacher of the Month.”

McMillen graduated from MTSU in 1993 and earned her Masters from TTU three years later. A resident of Alexandria, Mrs. McMillen has taught one year in 4th grade and 14 years in 1st grade before switching to 2nd grade where she has remained for 11 years.

“I love 2nd grade the best,” McMillen said. “This is the year their little personalities start to blossom. They make me laugh so much! They are eager to learn, and they are so loving!”

While Mrs. McMillen has devoted time tirelessly to helping children learn the foundations of education, she knows she’s left a mark in their lives outside academics too.

“When you see students that you had a long time ago, and they take the time to talk to you and give you hugs, that's when you know that you have made a difference,” she says. “People may not always remember your name, but they do remember how you made them feel.”