Campus Newspaper
Sarai Thompson
Over Kevin Miller’s 33 years of teaching, he’s effected the lives of many and those lives have affected him as well.
In Miller’s first 19 years at Daytona State College, he earned a stellar reputation as chair of the Department of Visual Arts and director and curator of the Southeast Museum of Photography, from 2001-2015. He was front row center for many huge occasions that led to what DSC is today, such as the building of the museum and the foundation of the museum’s exhibition legacy.
Photography has always been the native Australian’s passion. It isn’t, however, what he started off doing.
Miller began his college education by studying nursing, which lasted a total of six years. By the first year, though, he realized that he’d rather spend his time taking pictures.
Although realizing this early on, being as driven as he is, he would never have just quit something he set his mind on. Thankfully, upon graduation, he was able to use the money he made from nursing to help fund his love for photography.
Educated in Australia, Miller also received degrees in sculpture, photography, art history and museum studies. He says his motivation to teach came from his own fair share of good, and not-so-good teachers.
“I has a stellar education, so I know what a difference a good education makes,” Miller says, as he relates one of his best teacher-student experiences that helped shape his standards for learning to the height they’re at now.
Early on in his teaching career, Miller admits, his standards were too high for the reality of how beginner’s learn. In the beginning, Miller’s biggest weakness was his expectations that students would immediately catch on and be experts by the end of the class.
So he took a step back once that mindset turned out to be purely fantasy. But remember, there is always a growth curve – everyone learns at different paces. In Miller’s case, that ???? quickly became a strength when he realized the course is not about the material, but rather about his students and how much knowledge they can retain at a time. Not only was this a valuable lesson for him to learn, but for other teachers and colleagues as well.
Moreover, even though teaching was something Miller was overjoyed to pursue, he did have concerns. He was afraid that he wouldn’t be a good enough teacher and still have enough time to be a serious photographer – both things he desperately wanted.
But he discovered such concerns were common as a new teacher and it didn’t affect his ambitions negatively in any way. He also soon became well-respected by both colleagues and students.
“Kevin is like the smart uncle that everyone wishes they have,” former student Travis Sigman says. “We have the same exact birthday. How about that?”
Professor Steven Benson chimed in, “To Miller, the best part about teaching is being able to spread the love of photography and the ability to succeed.”
Student Rebecca Farrah quotes Miller’s best-remembered piece of advice: “Don’t sell yourself short.”
Chief among the Senior Professor’s list of least favorite things is bureaucracy. And the idea being able to successfully motivate someone who is lazy is baffling to him.
As Kevin Miller nears retirement, the new reality of not having to drive to school to teach isn’t necessarily odd, but it’s different – a whole new routine will be in store for him. He does still enjoy teaching, though, and wishes to continue doing so when he moves to Southern California.
Although he’ll miss his colleagues, the reputation he’s built and his students, Miller is not reluctant to accept retirement – he is, in fact, looking forward to being able to focus more intently on his work and at his own desired pace.
“Have more things on your to-do list everyday than you can possibly get done. That way you’re always busy, and a day is never wasted,” Kevin Miller advises, again passing on the wisdom he’s learned throughout the years.
And never forget, he counsels, that times change and so should people.
Photography, for him, started out very narrow with a limited range of technology skills and a palette of possibility. Now, photography is wide and diverse. Men aren’t the only ones known for the art and all sorts of styles and cultures are now being portrayed through this popular median.
He can’t resist offering one last word of advice before he goes: “Find your voice, and never let it go.”