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Building Bridges in Online Learning with 2nd Grade Teacher & Onboarding Specialist Kayla Millard

Stories & Spotlights
A woman wearing black shorts and a pink t-shirt and holding a walking stick while posing at the top of a mountain peak, with other mountains behind her.

Meet Kayla Millard, a dedicated educator who has been shaping young learners’ lives at Cascade Virtual Academy (CVA) for the past eight years. Based in Central Oregon, Ms. Millard brings her passion for teaching into two meaningful roles: as a 2nd Grade Teacher and as the school’s K–5 Onboarding Specialist.

Ms. Millard has always known she was meant to be a teacher. “I can remember being younger and playing ‘school’ with my younger brother, where I was always the teacher and he was the student,” she recalls.

That early spark has carried her through an inspiring educational journey. As the first in her family to graduate high school and earn a college degree, Ms. Millard has made education both a personal and professional mission.

An Educational Journey Rooted in Purpose

Online learning onboarding specialist Kayla Millard crochets stuffies in her spare time. This image shows a variety of her stuffies.
In her spare time Ms. Millard crochets stuffies.

After earning an Associate of Arts Transfer degree with a focus in Early Childhood Education, she completed her bachelor’s in Human Development and Family Services from Oregon State University–Cascades and later her master’s in teaching from George Fox University. Along the way, she worked at a Special Education preschool as an Educational Assistant, a deeply rewarding role that helped shape her philosophy of inclusive, compassionate teaching.

Since joining CVA in 2018, Ms. Millard has taught kindergarten, 1st grade, and now 2nd grade. She treasures watching her students’ confidence bloom, especially those who arrive shy or hesitant.

“There is nothing better than the feeling of success when you work with a student all year and by the end of the year, they are turning their camera on in class and engaging on the mic,” she says.

Supporting Families as a K-5 Onboarding Specialist

In addition to her classroom role, Ms. Millard also serves as CVA’s K–5 Onboarding Specialist, guiding new families as they transition into online learning. She helps parents and students feel supported and connected, easing the shift into a new educational model.

“Helping to build that bridge between a student/family transitioning to online learning and our online school is super rewarding,” she shares. Many families’ first touchpoint with CVA is Ms. Millard’s patient guidance, making her impact felt far beyond her own classroom.

Life Beyond the Classroom

Outside of school, Ms. Millard cherishes time with her family and enjoys crocheting. She has crafted everything from small keepsakes to larger projects over the years. Recently, she did crochet adorable chicken sweaters for her sister-in-law and a variety of stuffies.

Online learning onboarding specialist Kayla Millard crochets chicken sweaters in her spare time. This image shows a red chicken wearing a green sweater.
Ms. Millard also crochets chicken sweaters.

She is also proud of her commitment to personal health and well-being. After experiencing the loss of her father, she began focusing on her health and recently completed a local challenge to hike nine buttes between May and September. “This was a huge milestone and goal for me,” she reflects.

Ms. Millard also looks forward to CVA’s in-person events, where she gets to meet the students and families she works with face-to-face. “It is always so wonderful to get to see some of my students or the students I onboard in person,” she says. One of her favorite annual outings is going to the pumpkin patch where staff and students get a chance to enjoy some quality time together.

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