Lindsay Miller
Lindsay Miller is a Biology teacher at KIPP: Bold City High School in Jacksonville, Florida.
What inspired you to get into teaching?
My mom was a P.E. teacher. I’m not coordinated at all, so I didn’t want to teach P.E. But I knew from a very young age that I wanted to work with kids. Then I had a really wonderful sixth grade teacher. We had a science club after school where we did experiments and projects and dissected things. I’m a real science geek, so that lit me up. And seeing this amazing educator teach something I love made me realize I wanted to be a science teacher too.
Why KIPP?
KIPP is building a culture where people care for one another. When they say ‘Team and Family,’ they mean it. Relationships matter. So at KIPP, when you’re having one of those days where a lot of things are flying at you – maybe it’s a challenge with lesson planning, or a parent call – you’re never alone. Our leaders care about us as people, not just as teachers. When it’s time to go home, they’ll make sure you do. It helps you take care of yourself.
What has kept you in education?
A big reason I’ve stayed in education is to be a role model. We need more women and people of color in STEM. I want all of my students to know you can be Black and be in science. You can be a girl and be in science. You can be into fashion and like sneakers and be in science. I’m going to push you to be in science because we’re making space for you and you’re needed.
I always want my classroom to be affirming. When my students walk through the door, I want them to feel a sense of belonging.
Who have you learned from?
I’ve learned from my coach, who is also my school leader. She really cares. In the hallway, she asks me how I’m doing. In the classroom, she cares enough to keep pushing. She gave me so many tweaks to make my teaching better. I like when people give me feedback on sticky notes – and she’s left me tons of notes. I’ve actually kept them. When I’m having a tough day, I go back and see sticky notes that say ‘you’re wonderful.’