Matt Miller » About Matt Miller

About Matt Miller

I'm a lifelong northern Indiana resident, growing up in Angola before coming to Goshen for college. I am married to my high school sweetheart, Courtney, and we have four boys who are all at Bethany this year - from 3rd to 10th grades. I am interested in so many things... tennis, basketball, poetry, theology, hiking, traveling, soccer jersey collecting. I just find the world to be an endlessly fascinating place!


What is your philosophy of teaching?

My two favorite words in class are curiosity and wonder. As a geography and history teacher, I find that the world is full of fascinating natural wonders, inspiring stories and harrowing tales of caution. I want the stories and cultures of all sorts of different people to drawn my students in, to be curious and stand in wonder. I hope that these attitudes lead them into worship of God as well! 


What kind of classroom experience do you try to create for your students?

I hope students in my class will feel comfortable to engage in both sharing and listening. I want to make my classroom feel like a family, where we want the best for everybody, we want to listen to everybody, and we value each other's opinions. I hope each student feels comfortable, heard, and cared for when they enter my classroom.


How do you keep students engaged in their learning experience?

I believe stories help students stay engaged in their learning experience, so I try to tie almost everything we do to some type of story. I also want them to connect what we are doing in class to their own experiences, so I often share how the topic connects to my life and give them time to make those connections as well.


What qualities or life skills do you wish to impart to your students?

Curiosity, wonder and worship!

 

When you aren't teaching, what can we find you doing?

Hanging out with my family, hiking, writing poetry, or something sport related.