After a distinguished career in the special education department at Tyrone Area Middle School, paraprofessional Janet Miller will retire at the end of the 2025-2026 school year.

Born and raised in Tyrone, Miller began her career as a substitute paraprofessional in the middle school 24 years ago and was hired full-time two years later.

According to Middle School Principal Shane Cowher, Miller is more than just a hardworking member of the middle school team. She is an important member of the community.

“Janet is a fixture at the middle school and in the community,” Cowher said. “If you go to a community event, you’ll see Janet. If you go to a sporting event, you’ll see Janet. Janet is involved and cares about Tyrone.”

Cowher has also seen firsthand how well she works with students in the middle school.

“She is not afraid to push students who need pushing, but she also knows when to show a more caring side when students need it,” Cowher said.

Cowher also praised her great attitude and for always putting students first.

“Janet was always willing to help no matter where we put her, and I could trust that she would do a good job,” Cowher said.

This past year was seventh-grade special education teacher Carrie Grassi’s first year in the middle school, and Miller made the transition much smoother.

“Although I have only worked with her for one school year, Janet has been a great help to me,” Grassi said. I have been a teacher for many years, but have never taught in middle school before this year. Janet was able to tell me who to call when I needed assistance, where to go when I needed supplies, and even how to read the middle school schedule.”

Grassi also praised Miller for her excellent work with the students.

“She demonstrates a great rapport with the students,” Grassi said. “She can manage students, even the occasional unruly ones, without teacher assistance. She is an ace at middle school subjects. If I wasn’t sure how to do a math problem, she knew how to help. She will be missed not only in the learning support suite but across the entire middle school.”

Tyrone Area School District Special Education Coordinator Jessica Anderson agrees.

“I have known Janet to be a dependable and loyal team member and friend,” Anderson said. “During her tenure, she was willing to step in to help students, staff, and teachers in all areas of the middle school. Her presence in the learning support suite will be missed.”

Cowher also credited Miller’s sense of humor for making tough days fun.

“She has a great sense of humor. Janet and her partner in crime, Becky [Schreckengost], were always playing little pranks on me, like filling my office with eggs on Easter or shamrocks on St. Patrick’s Day,” Cowher said.

Miller’s students also said they will miss her.

“She’s the best,” said one middle school special education student. “And we will miss her.”

Miller said her most meaningful moments came when she could help students overcome challenges and finally understand something they had been struggling to learn.

She said the job also taught her patience and how to take the daily challenges of working with middle school students in stride.

“You are challenged every day, but it can be very rewarding,” Miller said.

Miller said one of the things that makes Tyrone special is the support students receive from the staff.

That sense of teamwork helped create an environment where students and staff could grow together, she said.

As she looks toward retirement, Miller said she will miss the many friendships she made with teachers and staff members, and the daily interactions she has with students.

Miller hopes she will be remembered as someone willing to take on any task and help wherever and whenever she is needed.

“I will never forget the teamwork, laughs, and challenges,” Miller said.

The final message she would like to leave students and staff is simple and upbeat:

“Believe in yourself,” Miller said. “My summer vacation is forever!”