SUMMERS COUNTY, W.Va. (Hinton News) – After winning the Summers County Teacher of the Year award, Briana Miller discusses the early steps of her journey toward this achievement. Briana Miller didn’t originally plan to be a teacher; she first attended college and earned a degree in communications. Ultimately, after some time, Briana chose to return to college to obtain a degree in education.
Following her graduation, Briana got married and moved to Louisiana, and later to Colorado. About three years ago, she and her family decided to return to Summers County. This move, according to Briana, set the stage for her being named Teacher of the Year.
“I wanted to come back here to teach, especially the Summers County drama program .“
Briana added that she never imagined leaving Summers County. However, she met her spouse—stationed in Germany—through a mutual friend, which changed her path.
“I never wanted to leave Summers County, but I’m glad I had the opportunity to, because I feel like it exposed me to so many different people,” Briana went on to say. The experience allowed her to teach in Colorado and bring many benefits back to Summers County.
“I became a teacher because of the drama program, because I knew when I grew up, I wanted to stay involved in theater,” Briana added. Recognizing the limitations of drama teaching, she went on to say she chose elementary education since it offered more opportunities.
“I ended up falling in love with fourth- and fifth-grade education.” Although she started teaching drama, it didn’t work out, so she returned to earn her education degree. Briana shared, “I’m so glad I did because it just so happens I love teaching in the classroom as well.”
Briana loves teaching in Summers County because, unlike her experience in Colorado, she knows the families and feels a real sense of community.
“It was a really big place. Coming back to Summers County, I’m getting to teach the children of a lot of classmates I graduated with, and it feels more like home to me,” Briana explained, highlighting the difference between Colorado and Summers County.
“I love teaching the drama program because it gives Summers County kids a way to express themselves beyond sports. Many students have pursued arts careers.”
Briana recalled a favorite memory with one of her students, Jayden, while pursuing her degree in education. On the first day of practice, Jayden forgot the group song and started crying.
Briana took Jayden into the hallway and asked what was wrong. Jayden said, “Miss Bree, I can’t go in front of people.” At 20, Briana wondered how to help Jayden, who later earned a main role and excelled on stage. She had Jayden as a student for several more years.
Briana explained that those moments when a kid and their parents are so concerned because the child is shy, and then by the end of the year, they’re so outgoing. “I think that’s my favorite thing about it.”
Asked how she felt winning Teacher of the Year, Briana responded with a mix of emotions. The pride in her voice showed how much these kids mean to her.
Briana expressed humility and disappointment for her teacher friends who didn’t win. She said Savannah Connor went through the process with her, which was nice. All nominees deserved to win, but Briana felt honored and excited to be recognized.
She said the one thing she wanted everyone to know is that Summers County has a bad reputation for education, and it’s so undeserving. Briana said when it comes to teachers and our education system, she sees all the positive things that the administration, teachers, and students are doing.
Briana expressed her wish that the public could see more of the positives, instead of only the negative things presented online and on Facebook.
After speaking with her, it’s easy to see how Briana earned the prestigious Teacher of the Year award.
