WEP 255: Rigor Through Relationships an Interview with Joe Miller

Show Notes: Rigor Through Relationships with Joe Miller

Episode Guest: Joe Miller, Port Clinton High School ELA Teacher & Symposium Founder

Host: Kelly Croy

Episode Overview

"We learn for life, not for school." In this episode of The Wired Educator, Kelly Croy sits down with Joe Miller, the driving force behind the 3rd Annual SEL and Mental Wellness Symposium.

Joe isn't just a dedicated High School ELA teacher; he is a masterclass in leadership who leads from the classroom. Today, Joe and Kelly discuss the "heart of the work"—the transformative power of prioritizing student well-being to unlock academic excellence. If you believe that rigor is built through relationships, this conversation is for you.

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Joe Miller:

Joe Miller is a teacher who continuously advocates for his students, district, and community. After earning his bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Dayton, Miller moved south to teach in Charlotte, North Carolina for six years.  

Throughout his time in North Carolina, Miller knew his heart was in Ohio. When an opportunity arose near his hometown, he excitedly accepted a position at Port Clinton High School in the Port Clinton City School District, where he has 15 years of classroom experience and is currently teaching sophomore English and Foundations of Education. Mr. Miller also serves as advisor for Educators Rising and the head tennis coach. He continues to empower educators through his roles as the Vice President of OH-NNSTOY and event coordinator for the SEL & Mental Wellness Symposium in Port Clinton each year. Miller is an innovative educator with a passionate commitment to student engagement, data-driven instruction, and social-emotional learning. 

 

Mr. Miller strongly believes that growth begins at the end of one’s comfort zone, so he routinely promotes productive discomfort by asking his students to participate in poetry slams, classroom podcasts, and a series of TED-styled talks called RED Talks.   

 

Joe is an Ohio Teacher-of-the-Year, Runner-up, and a Teacher of the Year for Ohio, Region 2. 

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The 3rd Annual SEL & Mental Wellness Symposium

When: Friday, March 20th | Where: Port Clinton, Ohio

Theme: Rigor Through Relationships

Joe and Kelly preview the incredible lineup for this year’s event, including:

• Morning Keynote: Casey Cuny (2024 California Teacher of the Year) on SEL and AI.

• The Wired Educator Live: A live podcast recording during the event with Casey Cuny!

• Afternoon Keynote: Kurt Russell (2022 National Teacher of the Year) on student-centered learning.

• Featured Speakers: Paul LaRue (President of the State Board of Ed) and Ohio Teachers of the Year Chris Monsour, Daneé Pinckney, and Mark Lowrie.

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Key Takeaways from Joe Miller

• The "Engine" of Advocacy: How Joe transitioned from a classroom teacher to the visionary behind a major regional symposium.

• Educators Rising: Why we must empower students today to become the teachers of tomorrow.

• Rigor vs. Relationship: Why academic excellence cannot be reached through curriculum alone; it requires a foundation of trust.

• AI & The New Era: How technology like AI changes the landscape, but increases the need for grounded human connection.

• Core Memories: The importance of creating moments in education that students carry with them forever.

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Resources & Essential Links

• Register for the Symposium: Early Bird Registration & Full Speaker List

• Joe’s Book Recommendation: The Power of Moments by Chip Heath: Order the Book on Amazon

• Join the Movement: Educators Rising Official Site

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Chapter Markers

• [00:00] Intro: Joe Miller’s Impact and the Vision for the Symposium.

• [05:53] Why Relationships Matter: Moving beyond the daily grind.

• [11:05] Inspiring the Future: The Educators Rising program.

• [14:06] Symposium Preview: Rigor Through Relationships.

• [19:36] The Role of SEL in Academic Success.

• [29:36] AI in the Classroom: Opportunities and Challenges.

• [32:40] Creating Memorable Moments: Learning for life.

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Memorable Quotes

"When we prioritize the well-being of our students and ourselves, we unlock a level of academic excellence that simply cannot be reached through curriculum alone."

"Joe Miller is a true example of what it means to lead from the classroom."

You are awesome!

Kelly

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I love opening day keynotes to school districts and conferences, workshops with leaders and any opportunity to help educators reignite their passion, build stronger connections with students and colleagues, improve instruction, and level up as leaders. I hope YOU will reach out to ME!

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Educator, Author, Keynote Speaker

Instagram: @kcroy
Website: kellycroy.com and wirededucator.com

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