hartsville

The Hartsville Vidette is publishing question-and-answer profiles of the Trousdale County educators who have been selected as the teacher of the year in their respective schools.

We conclude those profiles with a glance at Micah Miller, who is a seventh-grade science teacher at Jim B. Satterfield Middle School.

Name: Micah Miller

School: Jim B. Satterfield Middle School

Age: 37

What grade/subject do you teach? Seventh-grade science.

How long have you been in education? I’m in my seventh year.

How many years have you taught at your current school? It’s my fourth year.

What other schools have you taught at prior to your current school? Trousdale County High School for three years.

What is something unique about you — whether it’s a hobby, skill or past accomplishment — that most people likely wouldn’t be aware of? I served as a line medic in the U.S. Army for six years (2006-2012).

What do you enjoy doing in your free time (hobbies, etc.)? Playing disc golf and learning to play different musical instruments.

Is there anything unique about your teaching situation that you’d like to detail? I went to school to get certified to teach high-school chemistry but moved to seventh-grade science when the position opened up. I never planned on teaching middle-school science but have enjoyed teaching at this level.

How would you describe your teaching style? I use a mix of inquiry-based learning and cooperative learning styles.

Could you share a couple of strategies for how that you keep students engaged and motivated? Using an inquiry-based style, I am able to introduce our topics with real-world examples and natural phenomena. Having something tangible helps to keep students engaged.

Have you ever encountered a challenge in teaching that required you to rethink your teaching methods and/or approach? A few years ago, I went from the high school to the middle school at the same time that the state standards changed. Having a couple of months to adapt to a new age group, new standards, and new curriculum was a challenge. The methods I was using were still effective, but I had to modify my approach for the age group.

What is different, unique and/or enjoyable about the school that you are currently teaching at? Having a small, close-knit community at Jim B. Satterfield Middle School is enjoyable. We work well together…