As a member of the student body at Jim Thorpe, it's likely that Mr. Miller has been a part of your high school path in one way or another.
The many possible ways in which Mr. Miller could have been a part of your high school experience include acting as your teacher for Biology, Principles of Ecology, or Environmental Issues, as well as being the head coach of Track & Field and an assistant coach for the Jim Thorpe Olympians Football team.
Born and raised here in Jim Thorpe, Mr. Miller is a graduate of the Jim Thorpe Area High School Class of 1998.
Following graduation, he attended Wilkes University, where he earned his Bachelors of Science in Biology and certificate in secondary education.
Mr. Miller knew from a young age he wanted to pursue a career in the science field, though he was originally unsure between a medical career, a career in pharmaceutical research, or teaching high school students.
Whilst in college, he was also speaking to the Navy ROTC colonel from Wilkes, as a potential option. He ultimately opted to pursue the career in education, which had more appeal to him on account of the constant change of the continuous rotation of new students each year; the sentiment that, “Each day in education is going to be a different day.”; and the greater convenience that a teacher has in regards to being able to coach high school sports.
To begin his career in education, Mr. Miller started out working at a behavioral school for a year, which was followed by returning to Jim Thorpe, where he has been teaching for the last 21 years.
Now the head Track & Field coach, he has held this position for the last 18 years, while being an assistant football coach for the last 21.
Mr. Miller enjoys coaching Track & Field due to the differences in events and the self vs. self competition incorporated. When asked about Track & Field, he described it as, “largely an individual sport, in which you compete against yourself, so you get to see the improvement throughout the course of the years through the work you put in on a daily basis, and your performance is strictly determined by your work ethic and approach to the process.” As opposed to Track & Field, football is entirely a team sport, which relies on individual efforts for the betterment of the team as a whole.
Though it is different than the individuality that Track & Field has, Mr. Miller also appreciates working with students in a team format.
Jim Thorpe’s Track & Field had their first meet on Tuesday, March 26. From there on, the season will be fact paced, concluding in May with the League and District Championships. The annual Olympian Invitation will be on Thursday, May 2nd, during which Jim Thorpe will be host to up to twenty two of the teams in the region.
The JT Olympian Football team will begin summer workouts in June, which typically go on from 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM for three days each week, and consist of weight room training and field work.
In addition to his teaching and coaching, Mr. Miller has served on scholarship committees, the School-wide Behavioral Support team, and some other programs intended to better the experience of the students who walk through the walls of this school.
Now over the summers, and dating back to his time in college, Mr. Miller works occasional construction jobs alongside his father and cousin, to keep active and do some hands-on work.
He enjoys being surrounded by nature, with some of his preferred hobbies being hiking, cycling, white-tail deer hunting, and walking, as well as occasionally Trout fishing.
In addition to these hobbies, Jim Thorpe’s head Track & Field coach is also in the process of becoming a proficient golfer, though some days look much more promising than others.
He enjoys golfing due to the mental challenge it presents, in addition to the physical aspect.
Also occurring during summer, he and his family annually vacate to a beach destination for about a week. Lastly, Jim Thorpe Area High School’s 21 year science teaching and sport coaching veteran plans to continue what he does here for the next twelve to fourteen years.
For any way Mr. Miller may have helped you, whether it be due to your membership on the football team or Track & Field, or for his teaching and notable ability to provide thorough explanations in response to student questions when you are present in his classroom, it is imperative to show appreciation to Mr. Miller for all he does. Showing gratitude for the positive ways any person in life affects another is always valued, though all the above-and-beyond actions of Mr. Miller are significant reasons for the student body at Jim Thorpe to make sure it shows sufficient appreciation to him.
If there is a staff member you think should be subject of Staff Appreciation, email his or her name and email address to
Gabriella Cerra, School News Writer
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