JoAnn Miller, a high school science teacher at Oconto Falls High School, was named Wisconsin’s High School Teacher of the Year in September 2012. She served as Wisconsin’s representative to the National Teacher of the Year program, which included a teacher from each state and four U.S. territories.
In a presentation to the Oconto Falls School Board on Jan. 13 and a follow-up interview, Miller told about her experience. Some answers have been edited for brevity.
Q You described the other State Teacher of the Year winners as highly passionate and motivated. How did they influence you?
A I had the opportunity to meet with this incredible group of people multiple times over the year and create a network of those passions where we can share a lot of great ideas. I’ve always been including technology in my classroom, but just hearing what other teachers are doing inspired me to do other things in my classroom.
Q Based on your interaction with teachers from other states, how is Wisconsin’s educational system different than other states’?
A I think all states are going through some of the same struggles we’re going through, as far as the teacher effectiveness … and changes in curriculum. All states by law attend very well to the students who are not doing very well, but lack either the resources or motivation to develop our brightest students into our brightest leaders. I worry about our society and our culture here in Wisconsin, that many of the people feel dissatisfied with a lack of inspiring moments, the challenging “I can do it,” because there’s not an opportunity to find those places.
Q What was the highlight of your week in Washington, D.C., when the National Teacher of the Year was announced?
A Although meeting President Obama in the Oval Office was probably the highlight of the entire year as far as everybody else was concerned, I really liked having my voice listened to when it came to (Secretary of Education) Arne Duncan and some of the other people at the Department of Education. I found that what I’m experiencing as a teacher, there are some common threads throughout the United States, as well as some differences. It gave me a good perspective on what we’re going through here in Wisconsin.
Q What was it like to meet President Barack Obama?
A It was really interesting. We were staged in the Roosevelt Room prior to being escorted individually into the Oval Office. … The interaction with President Obama was only a 20-second interaction. I introduced myself, and he asked, “What do you teach?” When I told him I taught science, he told me, “There was a science fair here yesterday.” He said he’d rather be doing that right now. I said, “To tell you the truth, I’d rather be back in my classroom right now, because that’s what I love doing.” Then we were out in the Rose Garden, and President Obama gave a speech, and they presented the National Teacher of the Year from that group of 54 State Teachers of the Year.
Q What was your role at the national forum, the Education Commission of the States?
A We provided that body of legislators with a teacher’s perspective. They honored us for the work that we do, but we were also part of a lot of breakout sessions where we provided that voice during listening sessions.
Q As a distinguished alumni member, you spoke at the master’s degree commencement at Viterbo University. What was your message?
A My message was how teachers need to keep in mind they’re constantly an influence to their students. … A small statement or a look can have an impact on a person that’s lifelong. … That’s my message where ever I speak, because I think it’s important to be kind, to be careful and considerate in all aspects of any job.
Q As a member of the Wisconsin Teacher of the Year Council, you met with past honorees, staff members of the Department of Public Instruction and State Superintendent Tony Evers. What was the council’s purpose?
A:They use us as the voice of teachers in the classroom level to be able to inform them about some of the decision-making processes they go through, just to get our perspective and our ideas. We also bring that voice of teachers to the legislators. Luther Olsen (a Republican state senator from Ripon) has been somebody I’ve spoken with a couple of times.
Q What was the focus of your interview with Melinda Gates, who with her husband, Bill, operates a large philanthropic foundation?
A I was interviewed with three other Teachers of the Year by Melinda Gates, as they are embarking upon a new education initiative and they wanted some input from some of the current State Teachers of the Year. The discussion centered on how a teacher’s work impacts student learning. We discussed at length how important it is for teachers to have time to discuss ideas and innovations with other teachers. Lack of time for development, collaboration and initiation of innovative teaching practices were points that were raised many times.
Q How would you describe what’s happening in education in the classroom versus the legislature?
A It’s very rare for people to understand the time commitment teachers have to do the work of teaching. Somehow, that amount of time isn’t part of the legislation that comes out for the additional responsibilities that are placed on teachers. Our employment is 187 days. The laws that are passed that require us to include more work in those 187 days will invariably impact all of the other aspects of the work that we do. I think there is a disconnect in what legislators feel will improve student outcomes. Having those things put into place invariably reduces the amount of time that we can spend teaching our students or the amount of time I can spend creating innovative ways to teach my students.
Q How are you continuing to grow as a teacher and leader in the Oconto Falls School District?
A I instituted a Thursday teacher meeting at lunch where no administrators are allowed. Teachers can get together and discuss the things that are important to us as far as what are our best practices in our classroom and what can lead to the best student outcomes, without trying to impress anybody else. We have the opportunity to be very critical friends with a lot of honesty and address each others’ weaknesses, as well as strengths.
Q What are your plans for the future?
A Ideally, I would stay with the district and have a career path that I could advance my profession, not just as a classroom teacher but as a teacher-leader and as an expert science teacher. That pathway doesn’t exist in our district.
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