Responses have been edited for length and clarity.
MCPS administrators announced in July 2024 that then-assistant principal Gregory Miller would replace Dr. Robert Dodd as Whitman’s principal. Since he came to Whitman in 2020, Miller has served as assistant principal and helped create the Leadership Academy for Social Justice (LASJ) as well as the One Whitman program.
As the school year begins, The Black & White has interviewed Miller to discuss his approach to his new job and his experience with LASJ and One Whitman.
B&W: What do you think your greatest accomplishment was as Vice Principal?
Gregory Miller: My story is about a village of people who believed in me — teachers, coaches and community members who supported me. So what came to mind is the work I’ve done with the phenomenal students at Walt Whitman High School through the LASJ program and One Whitman. The first event I ever sat in on at Whitman was a student forum that the Minority Scholars Program put on. I was just taken aback by what they were challenging the world, the nation, and this community to be. That started my work in One Whitman, and the Intro to Social Justice class I taught with 14 eager students who wanted to continue to talk about change and how they can make an impact. Most people don’t have an opportunity in their careers to say that they started with an idea of a program, and were able to see it through.
B&W: What parts of this job are you most excited about?
GM: I will always see myself as an educator first, but I was fortunate to get an opportunity to be a team leader in my second year. I fell in love with school improvement and ways to put structures in place to support students. There’s always an opportunity to grow and adapt and evolve, so that’s the part I will always enjoy. I like being in a collaborative environment where we can talk about things honestly and openly So I look forward to really thinking about how we can go forward and talk about those positive changes.
B&W: What are some things that you want to change in this school?
GM: Whitman is a phenomenal, special place and I truly believe that. Our theme this year is: How are we building blocks for the future? How are we continuously building on this exceptional foundation that this school has? So, I don’t think it’s about change. It’s about how can we do what we’ve done and do it a little bit better. How can we get better at collaboration? How can we get better at innovation? How can we be the role model for equity across the school system?
B&W: Students often talk about the prevalence of stress, anxiety, and high workloads at Whitman. What plans do you have to address that and help ease the burden on those students?
GM: One of the things we did last year was piloting the assessment calendar in the fourth quarter. We then collected data that showed students didn’t feel like it was effective. That’s where Walt Wisdom Time came from. It is going to be a time when students have an opportunity to reassess, meet with teachers, do some homework, and also take a mental break during the school day. At a bigger scope, we want you to have balance in your day. We want you to push yourself academically, but it’s also a balance. We want you to have a life outside of Whitman too. We want you to be involved in extracurriculars, cross country, sports, drama, drumline. We have to continue that line of messaging and make sure that students are hearing it and parents are aware of it.
B&W: Why do you think we’ve been seeing a recent rise in hate crimes at Whitman, despite the presence of the LASJ program and One Whitman?
GM: We’re all Whitman Vikings, and that’s what centers us. We have our vast identities and places like One Whitman are where we will see other experiences, identities and perspectives. I can’t speak to the why, but what I can say is we denounce all acts of hate and bias in our school. We do not tolerate it. We are going to maintain and spearhead an inclusive environment, and that’s through valuing culture and diversity. When I was a social studies teacher, I wanted my classroom to be a mirror where you can see people like you, but also a window to other cultures, so you can see other cultures and hear different perspectives and different ways of being. That’s how I would like Whitman to be. Ignorance is not an excuse for intolerance, so we want you to be extremely knowledgeable. That’s the work behind One Whitman: ensuring that our students are knowledgeable and that we are providing perspectives and the different lived experiences of this very diverse school. It’s been great to see the level of student involvement in that program and that initiative, and it’s grown immensely. Now we see students involved in the development of the lessons, the planning of the lessons, and the facilitation of the lessons. Students’ voices are heard throughout that process, and we will continue to move forward to ensure that all students can be their full selves here.
B&W: Do you have any final thoughts?
GM: I am extremely honored to be the fifth principal of Walt Whitman High School. It’s a dream come true for me. My hope for each and every Whitman student is that they can come to a school that values and welcomes them for who they are as a person. This is not work for me, because I found that thing in life that gives me joy. I hope that for every student. If you find that thing that gives you the most joy and you’re passionate about it, you’ll never work a day in your life. I have the best job in the world. I come in every single day to work with the hardest working students, the most dedicated and committed staff, and a phenomenal community.
