Derrick Miller

Tell us why you became a teacher

I didn't plan to be a teacher. My mom was a teacher, and I loved spending time in her classroom, but I loved writing and the written word. I chose to follow a journalism career path, which I did for nearly nine years. However, for the last five years I was at the newspaper, I kept finding myself drawn teaching. I was the education reporter, and I spend nearly every day in classrooms. I found myself impressed and in awe of what teachers were doing to best educate. I wanted to be part of that.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

I've taught for the last 11 years at the same middle school. I started as an ELA teacher, but my journalism background allowed me to create a journalism program to teach students how to write and best communicate with one another. My students run an online newspaper, where they focus on telling the stories of our school and finding ways to promote our product. This career allowed me to join the board for the state education association, stand up for public ed and collaborate with other teachers.

What would you do with the $25,000?

Obviously, some of that money would go toward school. I also have a 3-year-old daughter; I would love to set up a college fund for her. It would also be nice to make some improvements to my house that have been pushed further back as other expenditures have become more pressing.