Meet Me Monday: Nicole Miller makes transition at Rochelle Middle School

Nicole Miller will be taking on a major role this upcoming school year as a first-year guidance counselor at Rochelle Middle School.

After three years as a teacher in Greenville, Miller has come to Kinston to become the person children can come to for assistance, socially and academically.

“I genuinely care about kids and what they’re going through,” Miller said. “I want to help them deal with their problems and I like being a warm and welcoming person. I don’t think there are a lot of people who view this as more than a job, but this is my passion.”

Rochelle Middle School Principal Maya Swinson — who is in her first year at the school, as well — hired Miller because she said she had many great qualities which could benefit the students.

“Nicole blew us away in the interview,” Swinson said. “I really felt like she would be a perfect fit for the culture of our school. She’s energetic, creative and down-to-earth. I believe the kids can relate to her.”

Swinson was also impressed with Miller’s dedication to Rochelle early on, including her help with the school’s Community Day on Aug. 10.

“She showed her commitment to the school before actually starting her first day,” Swinson said. “We’re excited to have her here, especially since she’s coming from a school similar to Rochelle.”

Before accepting the job at Rochelle, Miller spent two years as a fifth grade teacher at Ridgeway Elementary, and then taught sixth grade at Wellcome Middle last year, instructing students in language arts and social studies.

Miller believed her ability to assist children outside of studies was beneficial during her time in the education field.

“When I first started teaching, before reaching the children academically, I had to reach them socially,” Miller said. “I felt like counseling was my niche and it really helped me as a teacher. Although I’ll miss teaching reading, this will be a nice change.”

Miller was born in New Bern, but moved to Florida when she was 7. She originally went to college at Florida Atlantic on a dance scholarship, but transferred to ECU after two years, receiving her degree in Elementary Education in 2009.

Currently, Miller is working on her Master’s in school counseling, which made her even more excited about receiving the job at Rochelle.

“It was amazing to have a job in my field while I’m working on my Master’s,” Miller said. “I’m just really excited to be a part of the Junior Viking family.”

Junious Smith III can be reached at 252-559-1077 and Junious.Smith@Kinston.com. Follow him on Twitter at @JuniousSmithIII.

Breakout Box

Name: Nicole Miller

Age: 28

Occupation: Guidance counselor at Rochelle Middle School