By: Erik Pedersen, Content Strategy Director
BALTIMORE – A Notre Dame of Maryland University PhD graduate was honored recently as the Howard County Public School System’s Principal of the Year in recognition of her efforts creating an exceptional educational environment for students at Centennial High School in Ellicott City.
Dr. Joelle Miller D’15 was announced as the school system’s 2024 Principal of the Year during a surprise visit to her school by county administrators in late April. Dr. Miller, who has worked for HCPSS since 2007, earned her doctorate in Instructional Leadership for Changing Populations from NDMU’s School of Education.
She returned to Centennial High School as principal in fall 2023 after previously serving as an assistant principal at the school from 2010-2015. Howard County was ranked as Maryland’s No. 1 school district in Niche’s 2024 rankings.
“It was a beautiful surprise,” said Dr. Miller. “They organized a schoolwide assembly out on the track to notify me – everyone was out there. The high school principals in the county are all very close. They’re such a wonderful group of people to work with. To be recognized with this award was one of the proudest moments of my life.”
Dr. Miller has worked in education for 26 years overall, all within the state of Maryland, after beginning her career as a science teacher for Montgomery County Public Schools. Principal of the Year candidates were ranked based on their strengths in five nomination criteria: leadership experience, collaboration, listening, lifelong learning, and support.
Learn more about Dr. Miller’s time in education, and the impact that NDMU’s Instructional Leadership for Changing Populations PhD program had on her professional career:
Had you always planned to move into administration and ultimately become a principal?
Not at all – that developed over time. I loved teaching. After 14 years, though, I had taught everything that I could, I had worked at every grade level, and I had spent time writing curriculum – I just wanted to see what else was out there. When I first became an assistant principal, I was amazed at the impact I could have on both teachers and students. Working in classrooms, sponsoring clubs, attending all of the school’s activities – I didn’t realize how much I was going to love it.
What motivated you to get your Ph.D., and what drew you to Notre Dame’s Instructional Leadership for Changing Populations program?
It was a personal goal of mine. I’ve always had a love for learning, and after two bachelor’s degrees, two master’s, and receiving my national board certification, a Ph.D. was the next step. I was really interested in NDMU’s program. It resonated with me. It enabled me to get my English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) endorsement, and it gave me the tools I needed to help serve our high needs students.
What was your experience like at Notre Dame? Did it help you grow professionally?
Absolutely. My advisor, Sister Bridget Connor, and Dr. Mark Fenster were both great mentors for me. My dissertation examined whether students who participated in STEM activities outside of the classroom were more likely to major in STEM in college. I learned so much about the whole research process as that came together, and I continue to carry that knowledge with me today. I encourage participation in afterschool activities everywhere I go, and even now as a principal I remain the co-sponsor of Centennial’s Science Olympiad Club.
How were you able to balance the coursework with your personal and professional responsibilities?
If you love what you do, anything is possible, and I love working in a school. I also had a lot of support. I couldn’t have done it without my husband. He was the primary caretaker of our young children during that time. I would do most of my schoolwork after they went to bed. There were a lot of late nights, and I lived at Panera Bread on the weekends once I started writing my dissertation.
Is there any message you would have for a teacher who might be considering taking steps to advance their career and move into a leadership position?
Use your support system. Take it one class and one chapter at a time, and give yourself grace when you get frustrated. There were plenty of times where I wanted to quit along the way, but it was very much worth it in the end.
Established in 1895, Notre Dame of Maryland University (NDMU) is a private, Catholic institution in Baltimore, Maryland, with the mission to educate leaders to transform the world. Notre Dame has been named one of the best "Regional Universities North" by U.S. News & World Report.
