College of Education to honor Billie McNabb Miller May 9

Ms. Billie McNabb Miller, retired teacher and professor, was honored with the 2008 Professional Achievement Award by the Idaho State University College of Education chapter of Kappa Delta Pi, an international honor society dedicated to promoting excellence in, and the recognition of, outstanding contributions to education.

 McNabb Miller will be recognized at a banquet at 6:30 p.m. Friday, May 9, at the L.E. and Thelma E. Stephens Performing Arts Center Marshall Rotunda at Idaho State University in Pocatello.

McNabb Miller was born and raised in Tyhee, Idaho.  She was awarded her teaching credential from the University of Idaho-Southern Branch, now Idaho State University, in 1942. After obtaining her teaching credential, she taught fifth and sixth grades for two years. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree and a California teaching credential from San Jose State College in 1945, teaching in California for five years.

In 1962, McNabb Miller became a member of Kappa Delta Gamma, an honor society for educators. In 1969, she earned a master’s degree in Education and Reading Specialist from Whittier College in Whittier, Calif.  She went on to teach in the Lowell Joint School District from 1960 to 1985, establishing the Reading Center for the district.

In 1986 she became a reading supervisor for California State University in Los Angeles. She was an adjunct professor at the University of California in Los Angeles from 1985-1995. As a reading supervisor, she visited elementary and secondary schools weekly to help student teachers. In 1991 McNabb Miller published a children’s book, “Soo Ling, The Story of a Silkworm,” in both English and Spanish. She retired from CSU in 2002.  

During her retirement, McNabb Miller has continued as a reading tutor, traveled extensively, spent time with her family, and has been an active member of several organizations, including the Friendly Hills Woman’s Club, the Girl Scouts, the League of Women Voters and the Continued Learning Experience.