Teacher moves to Guam to show students the world
When Oceanview Middle School teacher Erik Miller graduated from Michigan State University, recruiters from Guam held a couple of teacher fairs.
December 12, 2014Updated: December 12, 2014
By KUAM News
By KUAM Newsby Joan Aguon Charfauros
Guam - In 2006, when Oceanview Middle School teacher Erik Miller graduated from Michigan State University, recruiters from Guam held a couple of teacher fairs in East Lansing. "I picked up a couple of brochures and I spoke with the recruiters briefly, and I just thought it would be interesting to come to a new place, really go out for an adventure, I had lived in Michigan my entire life up to that point," he recalled.
So Miller packed up his belongings and moved to Guam. And what initially was a two-year contract has turned into eight-and-a-half years at the Agat campus. Miller currently teaches pre-AP 8th grade social studies, along with 6th and 7th grade regular social studies - which is United States history, world geography, and world history.
He says he engages his students using a variety of teaching styles, explaining, "With the 6th [graders], they are really motivated by games - we read, we write and all the essentials but I also like to have fun with the students as much as I can. So we play games. My first period history class, the 8th graders, they are really interested in debates, so I come ready with topics - that's what gets them going. My 7th graders tend to be more of a question and answer."
Now despite Oceanview being one of the older schools, Miller says the Department of Education has done a really good job at addressing his classroom's needs and for challenges. "You are dealing with students who can't get enough of their phones or are online all the time, and use technology but not too much. One of the jobs I feel I have as a teacher is to get them to interact with each more appropriately by having a discussion with real people. To have a civic discussion," Miller explained.
Miller says it was various teachers and professors throughout his schooling that inspired him to become a teacher, including his mother. And what is most rewarding for this educator? "When I hear them say, 'Ooh!', I don't even need them to say anything. Just from the noise they make, I know they are learning and understanding."
As for what he hopes for all the students that pass through his doors, he told KUAM News, "It's a combination of loving social studies and loving history. There is a story behind everything, so take the time to learn it."
Guam - In 2006, when Oceanview Middle School teacher Erik Miller graduated from Michigan State University, recruiters from Guam held a couple of teacher fairs in East Lansing. "I picked up a couple of brochures and I spoke with the recruiters briefly, and I just thought it would be interesting to come to a new place, really go out for an adventure, I had lived in Michigan my entire life up to that point," he recalled.
So Miller packed up his belongings and moved to Guam. And what initially was a two-year contract has turned into eight-and-a-half years at the Agat campus. Miller currently teaches pre-AP 8th grade social studies, along with 6th and 7th grade regular social studies - which is United States history, world geography, and world history.
He says he engages his students using a variety of teaching styles, explaining, "With the 6th [graders], they are really motivated by games - we read, we write and all the essentials but I also like to have fun with the students as much as I can. So we play games. My first period history class, the 8th graders, they are really interested in debates, so I come ready with topics - that's what gets them going. My 7th graders tend to be more of a question and answer."
Now despite Oceanview being one of the older schools, Miller says the Department of Education has done a really good job at addressing his classroom's needs and for challenges. "You are dealing with students who can't get enough of their phones or are online all the time, and use technology but not too much. One of the jobs I feel I have as a teacher is to get them to interact with each more appropriately by having a discussion with real people. To have a civic discussion," Miller explained.
Miller says it was various teachers and professors throughout his schooling that inspired him to become a teacher, including his mother. And what is most rewarding for this educator? "When I hear them say, 'Ooh!', I don't even need them to say anything. Just from the noise they make, I know they are learning and understanding."
As for what he hopes for all the students that pass through his doors, he told KUAM News, "It's a combination of loving social studies and loving history. There is a story behind everything, so take the time to learn it."