As the school year comes to a close, it is not only the seniors who will be opening a new chapter in their lives. Several beloved teachers at Mills High School are also saying goodbye, packing up classrooms filled with years and, in some cases, decades of memories. This year, teachers, including history teacher Barbara Campbell and math teacher Jane Spencer-Mills, will be leaving the Viking ship and saying farewell to countless students, staff members, and memories created throughout their time at Mills.
After 23 years with the district, Campbell will be retiring and beginning a new chapter in her life. Throughout her years at Mills, she shared her passion for history with generations of students. She currently teaches AP U.S. History (APUSH) and Modern World History, has previously taught Law and Society, and also served as the school’s Mock Trial coach.
Campbell’s structured teaching style often surprised students when they first entered her classroom, but it quickly became one of the many reasons students appreciated her classes so deeply. Senior Ytzel Ramirez reflected on the personal growth she experienced after having Campbell in both Modern World History and APUSH, sharing, “She is one of the few teachers I’ve encountered who actually felt like a real teacher … She had high expectations of [her students], not because she’s strict but because she genuinely wants you to do well and wants you to meet this expectation because she knows you can do it.”
Ramirez explained that Campbell’s class helped her grow academically and personally, adding, “I know now after taking her class that I am capable of a lot more than I think I am … she taught me to keep pushing and keep trying new things.” Her concise yet engaging lectures, combined with memorable projects and activities, made her classes stand out to many students over the years. Teachers like Campbell inspire students to learn by setting high expectations and encouraging them to push beyond what they think they are capable of achieving.
As Campbell reflected on her years of teaching, she said she always tried to instill confidence in her students and encourage them not to worry so much about the small things. One of her proudest accomplishments has been watching her APUSH students work tirelessly each year in preparation for the rigorous AP Exam. Reflecting on their success, she shared, “You prep them and then you get the scores … I’m proud of my scores. I have a really good pass rate with APUSH.”
Campbell’s hope for both current and future students at Mills is for them to spend less time on technology and more time experiencing life. She advised students, “Don’t overthink things … try to always make yourself one to two percent better the next day than when you were the day before … every day take one step further to improve on something in your life.”
In addition to the impact she had on students, Campbell also formed strong connections with her co-workers. Fellow history teacher Alejandro Lira shared that students will remember Campbell for her deep passion for history, saying, “She took a long time to really become an expert on all these topics. She reads a lot of books on history; she’s very passionate about history.” When asked what he would take away most from working alongside Campbell, he jokingly responded, “Her furniture.” He then continued, sharing that he enjoyed “bothering her classes during my free time [and] just having fun … it was always enjoyable to joke around with her.”
His final reflection on Campbell was that “she always has the students’ best interests in mind,” adding that teachers like her are often the ones who care the most.
As she enters retirement, Campbell shares many hopes and plans for the future, including “spend[ing] time with my dog, Tucker… watch a lot of movies, read a lot of books and travel the world.” She also shared her newfound hobby of painting. Like the history she spent years teaching, Campbell’s legacy at Mills will continue to live on through the countless students she inspired and impacted throughout her career.
Former Japanese teacher and current geometry teacher Spencer-Mills will also be concluding her final year of teaching after an incredible 35 years with the district. Known for her positive attitude and welcoming personality, Spencer-Mills created a classroom environment where students felt comfortable learning and asking questions. Spencer- Mills shared, “It’s less about teaching the subject matter and more about teaching the students.”
Lidia Battaglini, head of the math department at Mills shared that what made Spencer-Mills so unique as an educator was her willingness to try new things by saying, “She’s always looking for something to engage students and push their thinking forward,” she said.
Although math can often be a challenging subject for students, Spencer-Mills’ teaching style encouraged students to focus less on grades and more on truly understanding the material. When asked about what she hopes students carry with them from her class, she shared, “Nothing is ever final … just because you don’t know something now doesn’t mean you won’t know it tomorrow, or a week from now.”
Spencer-Mills has been teaching Japanese for 30 years and geometry for 10 years. When asked about what made her want to become a teacher, she shared, “Originally, I wanted to be an opera singer, then I wanted to go to Broadway, and then I wanted to work in the Diplomatic Corps with Japan. And then I thought I would help businesses understand Japanese. And I learned that adults don’t listen. So I thought maybe students might listen. So I applied to teach at schools for Japanese and got a math job.”
Her proudest moments have been when struggling students get that “aha” moment and realize that math is actually pretty fun. Her advice to students is, “Stay curious. There’s a lot in our current lives that really takes people away from being present. Notice things and continue to be human.” In the next chapter of her life, Spencer-Mills will be focusing on the choirs she is with. She also shared her excitement to be traveling.
As these educators close this important chapter of their lives, the Mills community reflects on the lasting impact they have made throughout the years. Their passion, dedication and commitment to students have shaped the experiences of countless Vikings, and their contributions to Mills will not be forgotten. A final thank you and good luck to all retiring teachers as they continue on their journey and begin a new chapter of their lives.