Life began for Sally Colleen Miller on May 18, 1949. I am the only daughter of Warren and Mary Ellen Miller of Carlock. I can only remember my three brothers, Mike, Dan and Chris as being caring and protective. Even now I know that they would have my back if needed. Mike is the oldest. Then I followed and then Dan and Chris. I’m sure Dan and Chris felt my mothering but I remember playing boy stuff because I was outnumbered. That’s probably where my love of the outdoors developed. We played outside a lot. We were a happy family. My parents were not rich monetarily but we, kids, didn’t know. My Dad passed away August 11, 2011 and my Mom passed away January 1, 2023.
I attended Carlock Elementary School. I knew even then that I wanted to be a teacher. Don’t tell but I was allowed to help out in the kindergarten class every now and then. I loved it! I graduated from Normal Community High School in 1967 and Illinois State University in 1971 earning a degree in elementary education. I was developing my dream but love happened! After teaching a few years I graduated from Illinois State University with a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction.
I married my high school sweetheart, Stan Rader, April 6, 1968. Our three children followed: Jennifer, born July 2, 1971; Julie, born July 16, 1974; Andrew, born December 3, 1978. We were a busy family as most are today. The kids were involved in a variety of activities. By 1975 Stan had begun to develop a purebred sheep flock. We traveled as a family showing and selling sheep nationwide. The kids were involved in 4-H and earned many awards showing Rader’s Dorsets.
As our children grew up I began thinking about my dream more. Using what I had learned at ISU I could never justify leaving my children in childcare while I taught. I still believe there is nothing more important than a mother’s love and care. I absolutely loved those years with my children. It goes by so fast! For me getting into the education field was somewhat difficult, but I persisted knowing God had a plan. I substitute taught for several years and I loved it. I was finally in the classroom. I was a teacher’s aide for a couple of years. I had substituted at Congerville Elementary several times when Mr. Pat Grishman talked to me about a new position as a Learning Center teacher at Congerville Elementary. I obtained that position and then the third grade position opened and I obtained that. My dream was coming true! I continued teaching third grade until my retirement except for the one year I taught fourth grade. I loved Congerville Elementary. I loved the kids, the families, my colleagues and the building itself. It was a perfect fit for me.
The fall after my retirement I became assistant to the children’s programming director at Hudson Area Public Library. I wasn’t searching for something. It just happened. God had something else for me to do. I loved that job, too. I was in charge of Story Time for preschoolers. But after two cancer surgeries and a summer of radiation I decided to really retire.
Stan and I, both, have health issues but you can still find me digging in the dirt out in the garden or flower bed (not as fast as I used to); working on a jigsaw puzzle; or reading a good book. We cherish the time we can spend with our kids and nine grandchildren. God definitely has a plan. For me, I think it is loving, guiding and teaching children, our most important resource.
