A longtime educator from the Oklahoma City metro is the first person hired to a Cabinet-level leadership position in the Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE) under state Superintendent of Public Instruction Joy Hofmeister.
Hofmeister today announced Robyn Miller, Ed.D, will oversee policy research and development, as well as teacher quality initiatives. An official title will be determined after a new leadership structure for the OSDE is finalized in February.
Dr. Miller comes to the OSDE from Oklahoma Christian University in Edmond, where she served as chair of the School of Education since 2007.
In addition to her work advising future teachers, Miller has volunteered her time to serve Oklahoma students. She was appointed by Gov. Mary Fallin to the commission for the Office of Educational Quality and Accountability (OEQA), a merging of the Oklahoma Commission for Teacher Preparation and the Office of Accountability. On the commission, Miller represented higher education teacher preparation in setting cut scores on tests and other education-related matters.
“I am excited and grateful that Dr. Miller will be joining my leadership team. Her keen intellect, breadth of experience and commitment to education make her a tremendous asset. As both a teacher and a researcher, Robyn brings a unique, much-needed perspective to the challenges of public education,” Hofmeister said.
Her sentiments were echoed by Oklahoma Christian University President John deSteiguer.
“Dr. Robyn Miller believes in the power and importance of education, and her years as chair for Oklahoma Christian University’s School of Education have prepared her well for her new role under our new state schools superintendent, Joy Hofmeister,” he said. “Robyn’s leadership at Oklahoma Christian has ensured modern, relevant and effective programs for our education students, preparing them for success as teachers. While we will miss her, I am confident her talent and expertise will lend great support at our state’s Department of Education, preparing young Oklahomans for college and careers.”
Miller has a doctorate in curriculum and education with an emphasis in diversity from Oklahoma State University, as well as a master’s degree from the University of Central Oklahoma and a bachelor’s degree from Oklahoma Christian University.
She taught 11th and 12th grade English language arts at Edmond Memorial High school from 1985 to 1995 before launching a 20-year career as a professor in Oklahoma Christian’s School of Education.
“My entire professional career has been in education, and I am thrilled to embrace a new challenge where I can serve the state of Oklahoma,” Miller said.
Miller also was a trustee for the Edmond Public Schools Foundation from 2011 to 2014.
She is married to Frederick (Kris) Miller, and they have three children, ages 26, 22 and 15.
