Mr David Miller
Teaching Awards 2008 Winner
The Guardian Award for Teacher of the Year in a Secondary School
St Ninian's High School, Glasgow
David Miller experienced his “teaching moment” six years ago while sitting on a Children’s Panel. After hearing cases of young people who didn’t attend school and were in abusive relationships at home, he decided to quit his job in computer software and become a teacher so he could make a difference.
And he certainly has. Colleagues speak of his energy, commitment and enthusiasm for his subject and his ability to challenge pupils to achieve the best that they can - and all in an atmosphere of kindness, praise and high expectations. One teacher said: “He believes he’s there to make ‘wee Jenny’ the best.” Pupils, meanwhile, describe his lessons as unique. One girl said: “There seems to be no piece of literature in which Mr Miller does not inject true heartfelt emotion and engagement.”
David uses innovative teaching practices which encourage self-reliance and ambition, and has piloted a fast-track courses for high-achievers, which resulted in 90% of pupils achieving A or B at the end of S4. He develops his own teaching materials and has passed his unique teaching style on to colleagues. Students are never surprised to receive their homework by e-mail during the school holidays.
Judges observed how David captivated pupils using a variety of media include photography and movie clips during a lesson, bringing an “eerie silence” and “chill” to the room, after which he received a spontaneous round of applause. One said: “I have never observed a lesson where I have felt myself to be as much a learner as the class being taught. I would not have imagined that literary appreciation could be so effectively taught to so young an age-group.”
Parents spoke of David being “a first class communicator, bringing out the best in every single student”. One said: “Neither of my children are the kind who gushes about teachers and yet they gushed about David, as all the kids did.”
Beyond the classroom, David provides a broad range of experience for pupils, taking them on theatre and cinema trips, on Italian skiing holidays and World Challenge expeditions to Africa, where Masai tribesmen slaughtered a goat in his honour. He has also established a climbing club and has directed musical productions. His approach is designed to instill confidence, to develop pupils as successful learners, effective contributors and responsible citizens.
