Brandon Miller had been a longtime classroom assistant since he graduated from high school in 2015. A Henry County native, he spent his junior and senior year in the Education Careers Program at the Career Center, and then attended IU East for four years. As a freshman in college, Mrs. McAllister, currently the Principal at Wilbur Wright Elementary, hired Brandon as a teacher's aid at Sunnyside on the days he wasn't taking classes at college.
Above: Brandon at age 18, 2006, "Rockin' I Learn" at Sunnyside Elementary
At 23 years old, Mr. Miller switched careers to see what else was available before he did his student teaching. He took two years off, and ventured into real estate, to "make adult money." Because he sill loved teaching, Brandon came back to Sunnyside, took an aid job while he sold homes, and fell in love! His future wife, Saydi Flynn, a 2016 NC graduate who also went through the Education Program at NCCC, was student-teaching for Dawn Lee! Brandon proposed in front of the famous Sunnyside red benches; the two married in 2020.
In 2022, Brandon decided to fully pursue teaching as a career. He finished his degree with WGU online, and eventually became a Long-Term Substitute. Mr. Miller has plugged into the community fully, and also serves as an Assistant Coach for the NCMS Football team. He advises his students and upcoming teachers to "Focus on the positive moments in life, and don't let others change your mind."
Above, Coach Miller encourages an NCMS player
His favorite thing about teaching is "building rapport" with his students, and "being a positive influence on their lives." He wants "to be someone they are excited to see everyday."
Brandon's creativity and unique life pathway has led him full-circle through our school corporation. Currently finishing his student teaching at Riley Elementary, Mr. Miller will obtain his Teacher's License with final tests during Spring Break! We're proud of you, Brandon Miller. Thank you for helping us build better futures.