Sharleen Miller’s passion for books began before she even entered kindergarten, fueled by her aunt’s encouragement to explore the world of literature.
It continued throughout her career as a teacher, and now that she’s retired, it continues as coordinator of the Rotary Club of Carmel’s initiative to donate dictionaries and other books to local students and schools.
“If kids have books in their hands, they have access to the world,” Miller said.
As an older sibling, Miller said she naturally developed a love for teaching and wanted to pass on her love of reading.
“At a very early age, I figured out I’d wind up being a teacher,” Miller said.
She taught at Anna Maria Elementary in Florida for 12 years before moving in 1988 to Indiana, where she primarily taught fifth grade at Indianapolis Public Schools.
After retiring in 2010, a search for a meaningful outlet to give back to the community led her to the Rotary Club of Carmel.
“After I retired, I thought, ‘I have to do something else’,” Miller said. “I tried putting my efforts into learning more about Carmel as a community member and not just somebody who lived here.”
Her passion for teaching drew her to the Rotary Club’s Youth Service Committee. It allowed her to stay involved with school activities within the community.
“Our committee was already active with what was then Orchard Park Elementary,” Miller said. “They were mentoring students and giving away dictionaries to third graders.”
That program has expanded, and now the committee donates dictionaries to third graders at Carmel Elementary and Clay Center Elementary, which opened after Orchard Park Elementary closed in 2021.
These two schools are also the recipients of books donated in honor of the club’s guest speakers at its weekly meetings.
Originally, the club would choose books based on a list from the Orchard Park librarian. When Miller began coordinating the program in 2010, she sought to personalize each guest speaker book by choosing literature related to the speaker or presentation.
“I did research on the speakers every week,” Miller said. “If we have someone who’s speaking about science and engineering, I’ll find a book about engineering for kids with a STEM approach to science projects.”
Selected books are geared toward elementary school students to sixth graders, Miller said. She delivers the books herself and believes having books accessible to children exposes them to a world of possibilities.
“I hope that we have a part in sharing what’s out there for children to learn about and experience someday, to be a guiding light for something they’d like to choose to do for an occupation,” Miller said.
Learn more about the Rotary Club of Carmel at carmelrotary.com.
