Story by Kaden Bessent
After 20 years in education, Kyra Mills is making the transition to administration. The Howard Payne graduate has taught at the Texas Youth Commission, Lohn and Eastland Elementary, and now Brownwood ISD. Mills will be the Assistant Principal at Woodland Heights starting in the fall.
In terms of why she became a teacher, Mills said, “I wanted to become a teacher to help students—especially those who struggle with behavior or learning differences—develop the tools and confidence they need to be successful not just in school, but throughout life. My goal has always been to serve as a support system for students who need someone to believe in them and guide them through challenges. I’ve always been drawn to the idea of helping children become the best version of themselves.”
Mills said a couple of teachers influenced her along the way. “Mrs. Marcia Deen, my third-grade teacher at Early Elementary, was the first to inspire me. She handled students with behavioral challenges with grace and humor, and I remember thinking, ‘I want to be able to do that.’ Later, in high school, Mrs. Connie Moss took me under her wing while I served as a student assistant in her class. She taught me about the real work behind teaching—lesson planning, grading, classroom management—and truly nurtured my passion for the profession.”
Now going into administration, Mills has a strong trail of experience behind her. “The majority of my career has been spent in special education, including Life Academics the last three years. I have also taught gifted and talented education. I’ve always had a passion for working with special populations—students who require unique support, individualized strategies, and a deeper level of understanding. Not all educators are trained or prepared to work with these students, and I feel called to be an advocate and a guide for them.”
Regarding the rewards of teaching, Mills said, “The most rewarding part of teaching is watching growth happen—especially when it takes time and persistence. It’s an incredible feeling to work with a student on a skill for weeks or months and finally witness that breakthrough moment. In Life Academics, growth looks different than in traditional academic settings, and that makes it even more powerful. Every small success feels like a major victory.”
As for the future of teaching, Mills said, “What excites me most is continuing to experience those ‘light bulb’ moments—when students discover they’re capable of more than they thought. I love seeing students light up when they master something new or get genuinely excited about learning. That spark is what keeps me passionate about this work.”
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BrownwoodNews.com will highlight one Brown County educator per day in the month of July, based on nominations received on our Facebook page, for our Teacher Feature series.