Student Profile: Ian Miller

Name: Ian Miller

Current degree program: English Education (secondary education)

Hometown: Dunn, North Carolina

Hobbies/interests: I love to read, watch movies, write, try new foods, and visit new places! I also love music and fashion! I’m always spending time with the people I love. 

What drew you to pursue your current degree?

It was actually a student teacher my freshman year of high school that really connected with me — lighting a spark of interest towards teaching English. Being seen and heard by teachers like her, my Foods and Nutrition teacher, and my Spanish teacher really steered me towards a career in education. 

What is your favorite thing about English education?

One of my favorite things about English education is the ability to teach skills that cross subject lines and are essential for life beyond the classroom. Knowing how to analyze a text is just as useful for reading shakespeare as it is when reading a job description or contract, watching super bowl commercials, tuning in to your favorite artist’s latest album, reading research articles, listening to a presidential speech, or watching the newest Spider-Man movie. The skills that we work on are especially important as our students navigate the age of information and artificial intelligence. 

What brought you to ECU?

One of the first times that I stepped foot on ECU’s campus, a friend introduced me to the Education Living Learning Community and Education Community of Scholars programs. Seeing the opportunities that programs like these presented was more than enough to reel me in. These programs have been a part of my college journey since before day 1 — They have brought me into a truly wonderful community, gave me a world of opportunities, and even made it possible for me to seek my degree. 

What has been one of your favorite moments at ECU?

There’s more than I can count, but here’s some of my ECU favorites: Snow days, Barefoot on the Mall, Putting together awesome events for Residents, Thrill on The Hill, The College of Ed, and working as an Orientation Assistant. 

Do you have advice for students looking to pursue a degree in education?

If you want to do something, go for it. Be willing to step out of your comfort zone. Grasp each opportunity before they pass you by. Take that chance to study abroad. Go to that interest meeting. Apply for that position. Go to that event.   As educators, we should be committed to being life-long learners, and that includes learning more about the world and yourself through experience.