Randy Mills

Teaching & Learning Computer Science & Cybersecurity since 1975

Recent Blog Posts

Welcome to my blog page. I have reached an age where I believe I have something worth sharing. It is up to the reader to decide if what I post holds value. I want to share my thoughts based on thirty years of teaching and over sixty years of life. These thoughts are my own, and I hope people will receive them in the spirit intended.

My goal is to create a fun space to share stories from my life and experiences. I have mentioned a few names, but only when I felt they would not be offended. These stories are based on my memories, and I acknowledge that others may have different recollections. Nevertheless, I stand by my memories and the resulting stories.

Below are the four most recent but there are over 200 in various categories. Explore and have fun! Enjoy, and feel free to share your own recollections of the stories I tell.

Week 34 Musical Interlude

This is Prom season so I have 3 songs from my Prom time in the 70s. First is Stairway to Heaven. Played at every dance but was impossible to dance to.  Taking Care of Business by BTO was a great dancing song with a lot of energy.…

Day 159 April 28, 2023 Berlin

I had a post about our first trip to Berlin earlier but I want to add a couple of details I didn’t include in the first post. The unexploded bomb that delayed the train was just the beginning. We got to see the era of capitalism that has exploded worldwide.…

Day 158 April 27, 2023 WordPerfect 9.1

I have spent my career being at the forefront of technology I have used some great products over the years. PowerPoint is a case in point. I started using PowerPoint for MAC in the early 90s. It didn’t start out as a Microsoft product but they were bought in the late 80s.…

Day 157 April 26, 2023 Leadership

Leadership matters. For my CyberPatriot trip to the National Finals, we had a leader that had emerged three years earlier. Lucas Nicodemus was our leader on the team and ran a tight ship! Our goal from 2010 was to return and Lucas spent the next three years making that goal a reality. …

 

2021 - 2022 PLTW National Computer Science Teacher of the Year

PLTW recognizes outstanding teachers who inspire, engage, and empower their students by creating transformative learning experiences in their classrooms through PLTW programs

Aurora, Colorado - Rangeview High School teacher Randy Mills has earned the 2021-22 PLTW National Computer Science Teacher of the Year award, which recognizes educators who demonstrate a strong record of delivering an inspiring and empowering student experience, expanding access to PLTW programs, and transforming teaching. Randy was chosen from nominations received from across the U.S.

PLTW is honoring Randy for his work in the PLTW Computer Science pathway. Randy has been a teacher at Rangeview High School for twenty years and teaches Cybersecurity, Computer Science Essentials, and Introduction to Engineering Design. Randy Is also a Master Teacher for PLTW in Computer Science Essentials and Cybersecurity.

"Rangeview High School is proud of Randy Mills and his dedication to our students," said RyAnn Nelson-Jaiyesimi "Randy is inspiring and we feel honored to have him as a teacher at Rangeview."

Randy helped develop the Cybersecurity course and serves as one of the original Master Teachers for the course. He has been an advocate for underrepresented populations and has a passion for extending Computer Science and STEM to all students equally.

"Teachers and educational leaders perform one of the most critical functions in our society, and we are proud to work with these outstanding educators who are leaders in their classrooms and across the PLTW network," said Dr. Vince Bertram, PLTW President and CEO. "Congratulations and thank you for your partnership in a shared commitment to empower our students to thrive in our evolving world even amidst the most challenging and unprecedented of times."

PLTW Summit 2022 - Orlando Florida

Click Here to View Presentations

2022 Aspirations in Computing Educator Award Winner

A thirty-year veteran of the Aurora Public Schools in Colorado. Randy has taught from 1st grade to postsecondary students. 20 Years at Rangeview has been highlighted by being a leading force for Computer Science and STEM. Randy has coached CyberPatriot teams for 12 years and taken 2 teams to the National Finals. Randy assisted with the PLTW development of the Cybersecurity course. Serving on the initial Advisory group and becoming a Master Teacher and teaching core training in 2018. Randy was awarded the National Computer Science Teacher of the Year for 2021-2022. Brought a Cybersecurity class to Rangeview five years ago and created a Technology Intern program for training students to move into internships in the industry. Randy has coordinated and taught a STEM camp at Rangeview for 8 years highlighted by cybersecurity classes. Randy has spent his career working to bring underrepresented populations into the Computer Science field.

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