Today we’d like to introduce you to Paula Miller.
Hi Paula, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I started the school based on my experience in public and private schools with both my children, really, but it was the youngest who helped me figure out what to do differently. Neither of my sons fit the typical mode and did not achieve tremendous educational success, at least not at first. My oldest, always the risk taker and full of energy, ended up in the army and leads a successful life. The youngest was different. He struggled and was not socially popular. In 7th grade, I decided to pull him out of a private Montessori school we thought would help, but it only made him anxious. When we pulled him in 7th grade, he was functioning at a 2nd and 3rd-grade level in Math, reading, and language arts. So I did what was logical, not to say do 7th-grade work, but took him back and filled in the holes. By 10th grade, he was enrolled in college, and he finished high school and college. This was something I could do, but many other parents did not have the knowledge or ability to do so, so the concept of starting a school using these methods was born. It would not be for several more years before I would step out on faith and start the school. For 5 years, I tried to figure out how to make it financially. I never really could figure it out. I knew there were scholarships, but you had to have students in order to have students; you had to have a building. It was like a never-ending circle that I could not get out of. One night I had a dream, I stood before God and he asked me what I was doing with His call on my life. Uncomfortable at best, I had to admit nothing. The next day, my pastor called me and said, ” Hey girl, what are you doing with that vision God gave you. I felt as if God was setting me up. I told the pastor of the need for at least one room, and he let me use a room in the church. I very literally quit my job, not knowing how, just knowing it was now, and I started advertising for the school. Many trials have occurred over the past 21 years. As a result of stepping out in faith, I almost lost my house, only to have a scholarship agency send money seven days before foreclosure. We have grown from 12 students and me to 350 students and 51 staff. We have seen literally 100’s of students graduate with a high school diploma, many who traditional methods had failed. Our school was flooded during a tropical storm, and we had to rebuild through some of the most trying experiences. Lacking in time and money, we accomplished it, and a big part of my story is how God always provided.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Smooth never, I started with no money, I almost lost my house. I moved locations and added students and staff. I moved again, adding more students and staff. This location flooded during a tropical storm, and we had to evacuate due to mold that the landlord would not remediate. I found property and secured a loan, but it wasn’t enough, so I became the general contractor and had to get items donated and build many of the structures by hand. During this time, some of the locals came out against the school, basically saying they didn’t want it there. The construction crew said we could have built a strip joint with fewer hassles. I even got bullied by a neighbor, who wouldn’t allow me to drive away and blocked me. Another neighbor called, saying he wouldn’t be happy until I didn’t exist. It was wild. We finished the building, were doing well, and were about to expand when COVID hit. We continued the building project despite fears about the economic uncertainty of the time. We expanded and dealt with everything COVID threw at us. Education will never be the same after COVID, but we continue forward with what we believe is God’s call.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Educational ministry: I founded a private Christian school that takes a nontraditional approach to education. Each child is assessed upon entrance to the school and then placed in the curriculum where they can function competently. They are then asked to move forward from this point, gradually increasing their knowledge, and we require mastery (80% or higher) of core subject areas before moving forward. We are a ministry and do not require our children to sign a statement of faith, but we love all students right where they are, as Christ would. We have a no-fighting policy. You fight her you dont go to school here, we have only had one fight, year 2, in 24 years. I pray that we teach children the love of Christ while also helping them achieve academically thereby changing thier lives.
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
No risk, no reward. I am a risk-taker and have taken several risks. I even recently started another comapany an RV park, I believe educated risk, or risk prompted by God are the way people become truly alive.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://newgenerationschool.org/ and https://dreaminndriftinrvresort.com/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paula-miller-105758216/
