By Derrick Smith

Teachers are a special group of people. Not only do they help educate students across the world, they also shape and mold them and help them become solid citizens. But it is not always perfect for teachers and sometimes a small piece of advice can go a long way. That is exactly what happened for Bill Miller.

“I started to get burnt out when I was teaching special education,” he said. “I had a friend tell me to get out of teaching special education but continue teaching, just teach something that you are passionate about and for me that was art.”

Miller is in his sixth year as a teacher at Ponca City High School. He currently teaches art to ninth through twelfth graders. Before deciding to teach art at Ponca City high, he taught art at Centennial High School in Oklahoma City. He also taught kindergarten and middle school Special Education in Stillwater and Special Education at Cushing Middle School. 

Bill made the decision to get into the teaching profession because he wanted to help students that were in the special education classes. 

“When you make a difference in a student’s life and they feel safe and not judged in your classroom, that is what you want as a teacher.”

As a student himself, Miller had his life influenced by some of his teachers.

“I went to the high school of Music & Art in New York and several teachers there have made a big impact on my education.”

When he is not in the classroom, Bill enjoys spending time with his wife, Julie, and his three daughters, Ali, Peyton, and Olivia. He also has his plans for the future.

“I plan to retire in five years,” he said. “But honestly, I am not sure I will be able to survive the current state of teaching conditions until then.”