Title: Fifth Grade Language Arts and Reading Teacher at Haworth Elementary School

Company: Haworth Public Schools

Location: Idabel, Okla.

Honing in on 37 years of expertise in early childhood education, Carol Gates-Milwee continues as a fifth grade language arts and reading teacher at Haworth Elementary School. The Haworth Public Schools District relies on her seasoned education experience to teach core subjects and literacy for their grade-schools moving on to intermediary studies. As a woman in today’s world, what has contributed to her success is her love for the children she crosses paths with. Ms. Gates-Milwee says, ‘You must have a heart for education.’ She is also a strong believer in correlating with other teachers and her students.

Prior to joining Haworth Public Schools, Ms. Gates-Milwee worked as a coordinator from Literacy Program at Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. The highlight of her career was successfully coordinating a program for pre-kindergarten children to learn and read Spanish. Ms. Gates is also dedicated to working with the Specimen Specialists of America in California, performing DNA paternity testing for local child protection services. Ms. Gates-Milwee also works as a tutor. She is a proud grandmother of six grandchildren.

Ms. Gates-Milwee advice she would give the younger generation of women entering the workforce is to have a passion.  For her, education has changed since her start in the early 70s.  She believes it is the hardest and the most under appreciated profession. She says, ‘You also must care for the work, set attainable goals, and keep the faith.’ In five years, Ms. Gates-Milwee aspires to become an educational consultant and spend time with her grandchildren. She would also like to work in the catering field.