As a social studies teacher, Julia Miller is no stranger to headlines—exploring news and culture with her students and the meanings behind the stories. But this morning the story and the spotlight were on her when she was named Connecticut’s 2025 Teacher of the Year.
Metro students, colleagues, school and district administrators, local and state officials, and others gathered in the school’s student center—a newly designed open learning and collaboration hub—to celebrate the 18-year veteran who has taught at New Haven’s Metropolitan Business Academy since 2015.
“It’s hard for me to express what a profound honor this recognition is,” Miller said in her acceptance speech, adding that she is a New Haven Public Schools parent and graduate as well. “Teaching is so much a part of my identity, my love for our students and our schools and the power of teaching all fill me with such a sense of possibility. Growing up in New Haven Public Schools myself and seeing all the possibilities a diverse, vibrant education can hold— juxtaposed with all the inequities that can also exist in public education—is what drove me to pursue this career.”
“Julia exemplifies the passion and dedication of all the great teachers in our state,” says CEA President Kate Dias. “Her commitment to project-based learning, restorative justice principles, and empowering the next generation of leaders is truly inspiring. As Connecticut’s 2025 Teacher of the Year, Julia will continue to uplift her students and her colleagues and drive meaningful, positive change for our schools and communities.”
Those who know her best
Several of Miller’s students came up to the podium to honor her with speeches, songs, and more.
Metro senior and poet laureate Natalie Alas, who recited a poem in her honor, recalls, “I met Ms. Miller in my freshman year, when she was one of our Gender and Sexualities Alliance advisors, and I’ve had her for civics, Student Council, Education Rising , and Youth Justice in Practice.” Alas, who hopes to practice law someday, says,” Teachers are so important for every career because they ignite our curiosity. Who knows—our next president could be right in this room. If every student in America had a teacher like Ms. Miller, we’d have a different America.”
Joining Miller (front row, center) are 2024 Connecticut Teacher of the Year Kiana Foster-Mauro and New Haven Teacher of the Year Marco Cenabre, along with CT TOYS Sheena Graham (2019), Kristen Record (2011), and Mary Kay Rendock (2006) and Beth Regan, vice chair of the Mohegan Tribe Council of Elders.
“Teachers often serve as mentors, counselors, family liaisons, and so much more, supporting the whole child and preparing every student to thrive academically, socially, and culturally,” Education Commissioner Charlene Russell Tucker remarked at this morning’s awards ceremony. “They are the backbone of our public education system, and today we are elevating their profession.” She went on to describe the rigorous Connecticut Teacher of the Year selection process, which includes school visits, classroom observations, and interviews of students, teachers, parents, administrators, and support staff.
“This is a huge and well-deserved honor,” New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker said, adding, “I want to emphasize that every single teacher in our public schools dedicates their time, their effort, and their lives to their students, and while we are recognizing one special teacher today, let’s give a round of applause to all of our educators.”
“As we honor one,” 2019 Connecticut Teacher of the Year Sheena Graham agreed, “we celebrate all, past and present. Teaching is the most honorable profession, and today is an opportunity to showcase for the entire community who educators really are and the mountains we move.”
Change agent
Miller is known for her commitment to antiracist and culturally relevant education, project-based learning, and helping her students become informed, active community members empowered to make change. One of the courses she co-teaches and helped design, Youth Justice in Practice, is grounded in the theories of restorative and transformative justice. Through her work as an educator, she has collaborated with community partners including the Yale Law and Racial Justice Center, Yale Education Studies Teacher Partner Program, and the Anti-Racist Teaching and Learning Collective.
“I teach for many reasons,” Miller says. “I tell my civics students at the start of the year that my main goal for them is that they are informed, active community members who feel empowered to make change. I want them to be able to make the differences they want to see in their communities and in the world. I also want our students to see themselves in the curriculum, and I want their lives and contexts to be understood, validated, and uplifted.”
She adds, “Teaching is fun! This is a job where you get to constantly learn alongside others in a special community like no other. There is never a dull moment, and there are countless magical moments. Every student, every colleague, every year teaches me something new. To all the dedicated teachers across the state of Connecticut, thank you for all that you do. It’s a privilege to represent you in this way.”
Miller, along with all of Connecticut’s district-level teachers of the year, will be formally honored at an awards ceremony at The Bushnell next month.
