We must recognize and uplift the exceptional, intentional, complex work that teachers do to support their students on a daily basis””
Kate’s Story
Kate Miller got involved in gymnastics at a very young age. As her skill developed, her love of the sport grew. It wasn’t until a high school physics class that Kate became truly interested in an academic subject. She soon found a common denominator between her two passions: “with physics, I could begin to understand why the flips I did in gymnastics made sense.” Kate’s high school physics teacher encouraged her to continue exploring physics at the University of Michigan and ultimately science education at the University of Pennsylvania.
Kate went on to teach high school physics for eight years, both domestically in Arlington, Virginia and internationally in Lima, Peru. From designing a cell phone case when learning about momentum to building a musical instrument to investigate sound waves, Kate enjoyed integrating engineering projects into her teaching practice. She found it most satisfying when her students applied their physics skills and knowledge to understand their daily lives, just as Kate once did as a young gymnast.
Kate is currently a Ph.D. Candidate in Curriculum Instruction, and Teacher Education at Michigan State University. Here, she has become increasingly interested in and committed to science teaching and learning that disrupts systems of power and oppression in order to create a more just and equitable society. As such, her teaching and research focuses on supporting novice (pre-service and early career) secondary science teachers with planning and enacting justice-oriented science teaching.
Academic Background
- University of Pennsylvania (Master of Science in Physics and Mathematics Education)
- University of Michigan (Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Physics)
- Michigan State University (Doctor of Philosophy in Curriculum, Instruction and Teacher Education, specialization in Science Education, Expected Spring 2026)