Meet Bobby Miller

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Bobby Miller. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Bobby below.

Hi Bobby , thank you so much for opening up with us about some important, but sometimes personal topics. One that really matters to us is overcoming Imposter Syndrome because we’ve seen how so many people are held back in life because of this and so we’d really appreciate hearing about how you overcame Imposter Syndrome.

Starting out teaching “Shop” as one of the younger teachers made me feel as if I were out of place to my high school students and the community in general. When I started I even had one student who mockingly called me, “Young man.” I was also typecaste as your rough and crusty “shop” teacher. During a community building event, our principal actually joked about me not being able to do a Yoga stretch. The reality was I was at least 15 years younger than him and am still a competitive athlete in many arenas. Most notably, I play goalie for a few men’s hockey leagues where goaltending requires a great deal of flexibility.

Those were my first two years teaching “Shop” and I didn’t do much to stray from the stereotype and tried to hide where I didn’t fit it. I wore extra flannel and didn’t participate in school events I didn’t think I’d be welcomed even though I could excel in. It was more work and didn’t feel like I was reaching my potential even though I was doing some really great work.

What helped me overcome this was to do what I was asking my students to do; boldly venture outside your comfort zone. I started this incrementally at first. Trying new foods, trying new teaching methods, the Covid shutdown and the news of our first baby on the way really altered the way I thought about things. When we found out we were having a girl that really shook me because I had grown up with a brother and a neighborhood full of boys and I only had a few girls in my classes so my life was all boys. When she was born I learned all the princesses, female athletes, and all things GIRL!

This progression continued very gradually until I turned 30. 30 had been the age I had always told my dad was the age where people turned old. I told him this throughout my youth and on my 30th birthday he wanted to spend the day together of course. We had a great day doing all the things I liked to do. When I went home after I was greeted by an amazingly crafted surprise party by my wife. I had no crisis but I certainly felt a new chapter beginning. Tim McGraw’s “Next 30 Years” was an anthem I embraced. We were expecting my second at the time and I wanted to better myself so I could be around for another 30 years.

So I did what Mr McGraw suggested, took care of my health, spent time with my wife, committed to my church and my job. I took stock of my friends and who I was surrounding myself with. ‘Spending precious moments with the ones I held dear’ was so much more enticing than it sounded at 20.

I started playing basketball with the teachers in the mornings before school despite no understanding of the game and only limited athleticism compared to the younger teachers who regularly played, played in high school, and some who even played in college. My kids each enjoyed watching basketball at the YMCA when we went so I thought maybe I should try and learn as well. To say I stuck out was an understatement but I was so welcomed so much to extent when I made a basket both teams cheered for me. So while my pride was hurt I began to realize there was much value in trying something I hadn’t before.

I was also teaching Welding the upcoming Fall and since I wasn’t paid in the summer I took a summer job in a Welding company. I had only ever worked in woodshops and I taught primarily woodshop. I took classes at our partner tech college for more welding instruction. However, during my welding classes I was teaching, I would walk through the theory with the students but when it came to demonstrating I had my Teacher’s Assistant melt the metal. He was a 17 year old, long haired, punk rock guy who loved welding and since I had him before he was willing to help in this way. Being outshined by a student as the teacher was challenging but was the best for kids to learn.

I could list about a dozen other examples of how my paradigm was shifting this year because I was actively seeking time “outside my comfort zone.” I realized how even when I wasn’t an expert at something I could still try and make improvements. I was becoming more comfortable in not being the authority in the room in my classes & my personal life.

This all capped off when I was asked to play goalie in a church Hockey game. I hadn’t played in nearly 5 years from having kids and Covid. I said yes and since it had been several years my whole family came out to watch. I know my paster and he plays regularly and invited mostly men from the church but also brought in some current college hockey players to improve the level of play for those from the congregation who came out to watch.

I was nervous for a hockey game despite playing throughout my whole youth as a high level goaltender. I wondered what an “old” goalie could do against regular high level players. In the locker room the guys were amused my equipment from a decade ago and misremembering the order it went on but didn’t tease negatively. Again, surrounding myself with good people made it more enjoyable. Maybe it wouldn’t matter how I played?

But… I played out of my mind! I played like hadn’t missed a beat since high school. We were outshot 2-1 yet we still won. The play was constantly in my end of the ice but we still won! They extended the time and tipped the scales more so it could become more competitive. The other goalie played for a D3 college team so he was holding his end but still we won!

With my whole family & church community watching, I proved I still had a command for some things in this world.

So establishing confidence in myself as an adult has evolved quite a bit and my honesty and humility has advanced where I don’t mind trying something new or admitting I’m not an expert in a particular area. It’s my hope more people can advance to this stage in humility because it’s far more liberating than hiding to pretend you’re an expert in everything. As a father, I hope my kids get to this stage quicker than I did and I hope I keep advancing for their sake. Even despite all this, I’m still humbled by them every day!

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

My name is Bobby Miller, and I teach woodshop in Coon Rapids Minnesota.

At home, I’ve been very happily married for seven years, and after struggling with infertility the first few years, my wife and I have welcomed three children in the last four years with another on the way due at the end of the year. My primary focus is on raising my kids and loving my wife who stays home with them all.

At work, I’m in my 10th year of teaching, currently at Coon Rapids High School in Minnesota. I’ve also taught at White Bear Lake, Cambridge, Jackson Middle, and Oak View Middle, gaining experience in rural, suburban, and urban settings. Before teaching shop, I spent three years as a substitute across six districts.
Inspired by my high school history teacher in 2010, I was encouraged by my guidance counselor to pursue a History degree, expecting a bright career outlook. After graduating in 2014, I struggled to find work in History. Determined to teach, I applied twice to a Master’s program but was denied despite surpassing all requirements. Instead, I earned my teaching credentials online while substitute teaching for Minneapolis Public Schools.

During this time, I developed trade skills to support my dream. While working at UPS, Garlock French Roofing, Northern Home Painters, Knapp Cabinetry, Janish Wood Products, Performance Welding, and running my own business, 3M (Miller Maintenance & Mowing), I realized that teaching shop was a better fit. While still pursuing my Social Studies license, a mentor at Coon Rapids Middle School introduced me to a clearer path toward CTE certification.

I earned my CTE license and began teaching Woodshop and Construction Trades at Cambridge High before moving to a district closer to home. For the last four years, I’ve taught Woods, Construction, Welding, Architecture, Engineering and Graphics at Coon Rapids High School. I’m passionate about shaping the next generation the skilled-trades!

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Humility
Perseverance
Work-ethic

Humility drives me to be comfortable outside my comfort zone while being able to perservere. My strong work ethic makes it so that I’m usually able to overcome the obsticles and if I can’t I’m okay with not being the best or the expert: basketball would be a prime example. Even though I’m not improving how I’d like I don’t fear going out and playing when the opportunity presents itself.

As we end our chat, is there a book you can leave people with that’s been meaningful to you and your development?

Bible

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