Teachers can have a big impact on the lives of their students. Not only in the educational aspect, but also with just life in general. Christine Miller is a teacher at Mangum High School and she says that she had a few teachers that had a very big influence on her life.

“I have had many outstanding teachers throughout my educational career,” Miller says. “I had a first-grade teacher, Miss Huber. She embodied everything that I wanted to be like, kind yet structured and fun but still challenging. I still keep in contact with her to this day. I also had a seventh-grade science teacher, Mr. Fitzpatrick. He challenged me, but he made the hard work pay off. His class was engaging and fun. Furthermore, I had a high school Chemistry and Physics teacher, Ms. Marr. She was a quiet rock in the chaos of high school, and I loved how she made the subjects relevant.”

Miller teaches chemistry one and two as well as biology at Mangum High School. She is in her second year of teaching at the high school, but she has taught in the Mangum school district for nine years.

While she enjoys most aspects of being an educator, Christine says that there is something special when someone understands what they have been learning.

“The ‘I get it’ moment is a thrill to see in people of any age, but especially in young people,” she said. “I also love being a part of developing their minds as well as their hearts. I view my classes as families, each one is precious and has a different climate based on their personalities.  My purpose is to value and support them while still teaching the curriculum required. Students need to feel safe and cared for!  I try to bring my best to them every day.”

When she is not in the classroom teaching her students, Miller has other ways she loves to spend her time.

“Besides spoiling my granddaughter, I am a big OKC Thunder fan and try to go to as many games or at least watch them. My husband and I love to fish, garden, and we are somewhat famous for our dill pickles. I spend most of my summer canning different foods. I will travel whenever possible.”