With experience as a teacher of English as a Second Language (ESL) in several distinct environments, Andrea Miller added service as a board member to her responsibilities at MTCS.

With her diploma from Northwestern College in hand and teaching credentials, Miller headed to Denver, where she was an ESL teacher at a local high school. A year later, it was off to South Korea for four years of EFL instruction in an Asian culture. “It was a lot of fun, it was great.” Now, nearing the start of her fourth year at MTCS, Miller works primarily with Somali-speaking students at Banaadir Academy.

“It’s a great school with strong leadership” she said. Miller is part of the SIT, the School Improvement Team headed by Director Shawn Fondow, which meets bi-weekly, regularly assessing needs and solutions. One of the needs facing this program has been the high number of SLIFE students (Students with Limited or Interrupted Formal Education). Due to this high number, the EL team at Banaadir, with their director’s lead, started a newcomer program. Miller teaches the sixth- to eighth-grade level of this new program. “It will be exciting to watch this program grow” she says, noting that Banaadir is the fastest growing seat-based program at MTCS.

Miller has found her role as a board member interesting and enjoyable, and was surprised at how easily information can be accessed. “The more you know, the better informed your decision making can be.” She suggests teachers and parents come to board meetings and learn more about MTCS. “I’m optimistic about the future and our organization’s ability to meet the needs of the community.”

An active individual, Miller coached high school softball for three years at MTCS and co-coaches girls elementary basketball with Patrick Dreher. She also loves music and fly fishing in her spare time.