Jonathan Miller is a band teacher at Kennewick High School. He was awarded April’s Classroom Makeover from WaFd Bank.
Mr. Miller teaches all band and orchestra classes at KHS including jazz band, concert band, advanced band, percussion class, marching band, pep band and string orchestra.
“For me, it was my first love,” said Mr. Miller. “It was kind of like the first group that I belong to, so that’s what I like about it.”
Mr. Miller said he hopes his classroom provides a home base for students and he enjoys that students always want to be in the room.
“This is their first place to be in the morning and the afternoon, at lunch,” said Mr. Miller.
Mr. Miller was nominated because his dedication to not only teach music, but to make students the best people they can be. The nominated noted, “His classroom is a space all students can feel welcome, no matter their background or identity.”
Miller said in his class, he typically has students anywhere from 2-4 years so he gets to create a relationship with the students through their time in high school.
“It’s even beyond the music,” said Miller. “It’s kind of teaching all the life skills that they’re going to keep forever, so that’s really what I like about it.”
WaFd Bank believes in keeping our community strong through supporting students and teachers. Each month, WaFd and NonStop Local will choose a teacher from nominations by the community and present a check to their classroom. You can nominate a deserving teacher here.
