CHARLOTTE — Veteran educator and Asheville Catholic School principal Michael Miller has been promoted to serve as assistant superintendent of schools for the Diocese of Charlotte. Miller planned to retire and was invited to join the Catholic Schools Office to assist in larger efforts involving curriculum and Catholic culture.
Miller begins his new role July 1 after 11 years at Asheville Catholic. He brings 27 years of experience in education, spanning four schools in a variety of roles, from bus driver and teaching assistant to principal.
He joins Crystal Koury and Allana Ramkissoon as an assistant superintendent for the diocese’s 20 Catholic schools.
“Mike Miller is an exceptional principal and leader,” said Dr. Gregory Monroe, superintendent of Catholic Schools. “A life-long learner, he consistently models a servant’s heart for students and families, and has earned the respect of his pastor, community, and other principal colleagues across the diocese.”
Miller’s longevity of service is testament to his commitment to the ideals and values of the Church.
“Prior to joining Asheville Catholic, I knew that was where God wanted me to be,” Miller said. “Now, He has called me to the next part of His plan for me, to help bring children closer to Him through our schools.”
Miller started his career driving a school bus and assisting a teacher at W.D. Williams Elementary School in Swananoa, North Carolina, while at the same time successfully pursuing his elementary education license. He then taught second grade, and later, fifth grade at Williams. In 2004, Miller went to work teaching physical education at W.W. Estes Elementary School in Asheville, and in 2008, became assistant principal. In 2011, Miller was appointed assistant principal to open the new Charles T. Koontz Intermediate School where he served until joining Asheville Catholic in 2013.
Miller holds a bachelor’s degree in physical education from the University of North Carolina, earned his teaching certification from Mars Hill University, and his master’s degree in school administration from Western Carolina University in Cullowhee.
During his tenure as principal of Asheville Catholic School, Miller invested over $700,000 in endowment funding for technology upgrades and scholarship funding to make Catholic education more accessible, and oversaw a $3.9 million, 12,000-square-foot expansion of the school that included environmentally conscious features such as 200 solar panels to power the entire school.
An outdoor enthusiast and die-hard Tar Heels fan, Miller and his wife Kathy have four children.
— Catholic News Herald