David Miller, Class of 1996
David Miller earned a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from the College of Wooster in 2000, and got his teaching certificate in 2002. He went on to get his Master’s degree in English in 2009 from Middlebury College Bread Loaf School of English. David currently works for the US Department of Education in Washington, D.C., as a financial management specialist. He works in the Rehabilitation Services Administration within the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services overseeing Federal funding for State Vocational Rehabilitation Services grants.
David was recognized as the DVFS Alumnus of the Year for the 2006-2007 school year. During his graduate studies, he was a Bread Loaf School of English Fellow, and in his professional career had a Library of Congress residency. Before moving to DC in 2008, David taught public school in Philadelphia and Alaska.
David says that DV has had a direct impact on his career choice and current success. David is a member of the Delaware Valley Friends School Board of Trustees.
When did you come to DVFriends, and from where?
I came to DV in 7th Grade from a public middle school in Lower Merion, PA.
Can you tell us a little bit about your learning difference and your struggles in school?
I have ADD and dyslexia. I felt socially isolated in the public school environment. Spelling and reading were painful in elementary school, with long nights of hyperventilated crying, as a result of my family's good effort to have my test performance meet anything above failure.
What changed for you at DVFriends?
My understanding of my learning difference changed. Clear knowledge of what it was and how to deal with it made me able to accept it, smother it, and not let it seem to me as though I was incompetent.
Do you have any special memories from your time at DV?
Many. Too many to mention here. All the teachers. The community. Ted Shakespeare. Glenn Heck. Gray Goodman. Norma. Roxanne. Irene. Tom. David. Estaban. Rachel. Heidi. Linda. Pritch. Ruth. Gaynelle. Bruce. Sue. Claire…... and I haven’t even mentioned my peers. I need my yearbook!
What do you think the long-term value of DV education has been for you?
My overall happiness as a person as it relates to my ability to succeed at what I do in my career is a significant long-term value of my DVFriends education.