Jeff Miles
Personal Goal Statement:
It was nearly ten years ago after my return from living in Australia when I was fortunate enough to be given the chance to work at a private, all-boys boarding school in Arden, North Carolina. This was the perfect place for me to be involved in all areas in shaping boys lives. I have instructed classes, directed the 8th grade Learning Resource Program, coached two varsity sports, served as a residential houseparent, directed summer camps, and last year became the Dean of Student Life. My experience at Christ School has never felt what most would call a job. It’s been a lifestyle; seeing boys become men, creating positive change and knowing that you are shaping the next generation of leaders in our society. It has made me eager to search constantly for ways to improve myself as an educator. I read three newspapers per day, subscribe to several educational related magazines and attend every possible conference and seminar in a quest to better myself. Knowing my need for challenge and improvement, it was suggested from a colleague last week at Vanderbilt University’s Peabody College of Education that I look into the online graduate program at Michigan State University.
Currently, I serve as the youngest Senior Administrator at Christ School, which has provoked a great deal of reflection on my professional goals. At this particular junction, a Masters Degree in Education would give clarity to the direction I want to pursue professionally. Since I started my career in education, it has been a goal to be an Athletic Director at a major Independent School. The Michigan State Sport Leadership and Coaching concentration complements my true passion for administration and athletics providing valuable coursework in my relevant field. It would be an honor to attend an education program that ranks 17th nationally and still offers the flexibility of online classes.
It has been nearly a year since I started my search for online graduate programs. There are numerous quality programs throughout the country, but Michigan State is the first program I’ve encountered that offers a top level education with relevant courses and no requirement for public school certification. The Sport Leadership and Coaching concentration would be a great complement. Athletics have always been an influential part of my life. I played two NCAA division 1 sports and had the opportunity to play lacrosse in Australia after college. While those opportunities were invaluable, they fall in comparison to my true passion of coaching young men. In addition to the Sport Leadership and Coaching concentration, there are a number of courses that are of interest and relevant to my current role as the Dean of Student Life. I would be interested in exploring course like Psychology of Learning in School & Other Settings, Psychology of Classroom Discipline, Developing Positive Attitudes toward Learning, and The Nature and Design of Compelling Experiences to name just a few. The curriculum for the Master of Education program is well designed and relevant to my learning needs.
The concept of online learning brought about some major skepticism before this past semester. It had been nearly ten years since I had graduated from college and my overall knowledge of online classes was minimal. I enrolled in my first two online graduate classes with an open mind, and to my surprise I really enjoyed the experience. I found the collaborative piece to be even more genuine than a traditional classroom setting. The format forces all students in the class to participate and collaborate to help improve the understanding of the material. In addition, the methodology is in tune with my visual learning style. Overall, online learning has been a positive experience and I hope I can continue my success at Michigan State University.
Education needs to continue to change and grow the same way the minds of our youth continue to evolve. It’s an ongoing process which inspires me to learn more about what will in turn shape our society. Earning a Master of Arts in Education will help satisfy my need to grow as an educator and will shape my overall educational philosophy as I seek to achieve my ultimate goal in becoming an Athletic Director and major leader in the field of education. It would be an absolute privilege to be part of your program and I promise to be a great addition to Michigan State University.
Sincerely,
Jeff Miles