20 QUESTIONS

PATRICK R. MILLER

EDUCATOR; PRESIDENT, AMARILLO BRANCH NAACP

What is the best advice you received when you were beginning your career? The absolute best advice I received when I began my career was to find a way to serve and to serve with passion. How do you use social media to grow your network? Utilizing social media allows our civil rights organization to disseminate pertinent information to a vast amount of people. As a result, we have been able to connect with people whom we may not have otherwise met. Our collaborative efforts have been successful because of the development of partnerships through social media. How do you maintain balance? I take time to pray throughout the day and reflect on my blessings. When I consider my family, community, and all I hold dear, I am reminded of my priorities. Therefore, I make a conscientious effort to invest my time wisely. What has been your wisest investment? My wisest investment has been striving to learn how to become a better husband to my wife. How has your past work experience shaped you into a leader? Throughout my work experience, I have learned how to serve in various capacities and to maintain a positive attitude regardless of the task. Leadership requires a willingness to serve and a passion for service. What is the best part about your job? In my role as an educator, I enjoy collaborating with my peers to develop strategies requisite for students’ immediate and post-secondary success. Furthermore, I enjoy celebrating students’ academic achievement with the teachers I am blessed to serve. Moreover, in my role as the president of the Amarillo Branch NAACP, I enjoy learning about complex issues and collaboratively developing solutions to the most pertinent matters in our city. How has mentorship made a difference in your professional and private life? In my professional life, I have strived to learn from each principal I have had the privilege to serve. My mentors facilitated the development of positive school cultures with rigorous expectations while managing to have excellent retention of their staff. As an aspiring administrator, one of my aspirations is to learn how to serve as effectively as my mentors. Therefore, I have often learned most through the experiences of collaboratively implementing specific systems or strategies. Fortunately, the greatest mentor in my private life is my wife. There is no one more resilient, passionate and devoted than Deana. Which living person do you most admire and why? I most admire my wife, Deana, because of her resilience and steadfast faith in God. When Deana was a couple of days old, she had her first heart surgery due to a rare condition known as Tetralogy of Fallot. As if that was not enough, Deana endured two more surgeries related to her heart condition. Nevertheless, Deana has defied all professional medical opinions regarding her overall health and lifespan. Regardless of the adversity, Deana always finds a path forward. I aspire to have that type of mental, physical, spiritual, and emotional strength. Which

PROVIDED PHOTO

over-used word or phrase makes you cringe? I cannot stand when people say “irregardless.” It is not even a word! I wish people would just say “regardless” or “irrespective.” What is your business philosophy? “The Golden Rule” is my business philosophy. Which quality do you most value in an employee? I value the quality of honesty in an employee. It is OK to admit when you are wrong or if you have made a mistake. It is not OK to lie about it. What personality trait has most helped you succeed? I believe that is for others to judge. I still have a lot to learn. Who is your favorite author? Doris Kearns Goodwin is my favorite author. What did you learn from your best boss? Your worst? Best and worst are too subjective. Everyone has a few good and even a few bad habits. Suffice it to say I have learned how to successfully collaborate and retain quality employees. How can Amarillo improve its business environment? As we continue to prioritize public school education and provide post-secondary options to our students, businesses will recognize the talent and strength of our future workforce and will subsequently invest and expand throughout Amarillo. Most important tech tool: The most important technology tool is a Chromebook because educators and students frequently work within Google Suite. Best time management tool: The best time management tool is an iPhone calendar because it will help you track your busy schedule. I cannot live without my: I cannot live without my hope that someday Deana and I will have another child. My favorite thing about Amarillo is: My favorite thing about Amarillo is the proximity to the rest of my family.