PUBLISHED BY MOSHOLU PRESERVATION CORPORATION

Passionate Educator Leads PS 246

By HEATHER HADDON

Beverly Miller is good at handling crises, even when they come rushing in her door. “I want them to know it’s OK to talk to me about things,” Miller said after a crowd of children, in the throes of a dispute, left her office relatively pacified. “There’s only one rule, and that is you don’t lie.”

Since settling in to her new role at PS 246 last fall, Miller has rolled up her sleeves to address student, teacher, and parent concerns. While getting used to being a principal isn’t easy, Miller says she enjoys the challenge.

“It’s a lot of work, but I’ve never shied away from work,” said Miller, flashing her brilliant grin.

Nor has Miller, 47, often strayed from schools. Born and raised in Parkchester, Miller took an early interest in education. After a brief stint in medicine, she switched her major at St. John’s University to education.

“Chemistry and I didn’t understand each other,” said Miller, a tall, elegant woman.

Miller has spent 20 years as a teacher and administrator in district schools, including PS 33 and PS/MS 95. After PS 246’s former principal, Jackquelyn Young, took a position with Region 1 in August, Miller was offered the job just weeks before school opened.

“A lot of people think I’m kind of crazy, but I don’t regret the step I’ve made,” she said.

Miller credits her staff and the school community for helping her get up to speed. “They have welcomed me and respected my opinions,” she said.

Shelly Whitlock Pope, an assistant principal, said that Miller has hit the ground running. “From the staff’s point of view, it was an incredibly smooth transition,” said Pope, who is pleased that Miller is continuing on many of the improvements begun by Young. “In my three years here, it’s becoming a whole different school.”

PS 246 is still a challenging institution to lead. The Grand Concourse school, formerly a home for the deaf, has always struggled with overcrowding due to its small classrooms.  As has often been the case, Miller uses every possible room and has to double up some classes to house the 867 students. “I have no space in this building,” she said. “But we make it work.”

PS 246 has long struggled to bring up its test scores. Around 29 and 46 percent of fourth graders passed the state English and math exams last year, respectively, which is weaker than many local schools. PS 246 did make big gains last year in reducing the number of students performing at Level 1, the lowest ranking.

“We have a lot of work to do, but we are on the right track,” Miller said.

PS 246’s mid-year evaluation affirmed that trend. A review conducted by a Region 1 administrator last month found that there was more work to do, like giving additional feedback and writing work, but that the school’s overall progress was solid. “I was very happy to hear that,” Miller said.

No matter the stresses, Miller says she remains upbeat. “I try not to let what happens in these walls seep out,” she said, referring to her neat, tasteful office. She debriefs at the end of the day with her husband and 8-year-old daughter when she gets to her Wakefield home.

While the work ahead may be great, Miller seems ready to tackle it. “I’m passionate about teaching and learning — I really am,” she said. “I would not want to work in a place where there weren’t children.”

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