CEEO Director of Outreach Elissa Milto recently won a Tufts Distinction Award, so we sat down to chat with her about the award and her more than 20 years at Tufts CEEO.
Tell us a bit about yourself and your background.
I went to college in Richmond, Virginia and came to the Boston area for what I thought was going to be a year while my husband finished school. That was a really long time ago. I have two children who are twenty and twenty-three. I have a masters in special education. Before coming to the CEEO, I was a classroom teacher and taught English as part of a special education program at Malden High School.
How did you first get involved at Tufts CEEO, and what drew you to this work?
Being at the CEEO was definitely a sharp turn from where I thought I was going. I assumed that I would be a classroom teacher for my entire career. I was hired by CEEO to lead one of the first LEGO robotics summer workshops and really fell in love with engineering. I brought robotics back to my classroom the following year and saw how excited and engaged the students were when I linked the literature we were reading to robotics challenges. I had a few students who often missed school, but they were always in class on engineering days. The next year I began a masters program at Tufts and took a mix of engineering and education classes. After I graduated, I worked at the CEEO part-time until both of my children were in school and then became full-time.
What did winning this award mean to you personally and professionally?
It means a lot to me that the people I work with think so highly of what I do at Tufts. I think everyone is feeling the stress of what is happening in the world right now so I really appreciate getting this award at this moment. The nomination mentioned the DEIJ work that I’ve done as the CEEO so it’s also meaningful that other people feel this important work.
How has your work here influenced the way you think about education or learning?
Working at the CEEO has had a huge impact on how I think about education and learning. I have a circle of colleagues that I’ve worked with for a long time, some about twenty years, so we’ve really learned from each other and impacted each other’s thinking. Coming from a special education background, I’m always thinking of how to engage all types of learners, especially those who may not feel confident in their abilities. Right now I’m thinking about how to help students who struggle with executive function tackle open-ended design problems. My thinking about the types of support necessary for all students to do this has definitely evolved.
Tell us about a project or moment you’re especially proud of—what made it meaningful to you?
I’m really proud of the two books on engineering education that I’ve co-authored with CEEO members, past and present. This is a little crazy to me since engineering is not a direction I envisioned myself going in when I was younger. It’s always been a dream of mine to write a book, but my ten-year-old self thought it was going to be a mystery novel.
Who or what has inspired you the most during your time here?
Kids always inspire me. There is nothing better than seeing a student who has struggled with a problem and feels unsure of themselves figure out a solution and then see themselves as a capable learner who is also proud of what they have done. Moments like that motivate me.
What do you like to do in your free time?
I love doing things with my family, especially traveling and exploring new places. I also like cooking new recipes, drawing, and running. When it’s nice out, I like to sit on my deck and read.
What are you looking forward to next, either in your work or beyond?
Professionally, I’m looking forward to seeing how the tools I helped develop as part of a project for autistic students are used to help them do computational thinking. Personally, I’m looking forward to vacation this summer with my husband and two children.
