by Macade Maxwell

St. John Bosco welcomes new biology and chemistry teacher, Mrs. Jenny Miller, a former NCAA compliance officer, who hopes to bring her passion for education to students all across the campus. 

Q. Where did you grow up? 

A. I was born in Southern California and grew up mostly in Central California in a small town called Visalia (although it’s not so small anymore).

Q. What high school did you attend? 

A. I attended Mt. Whitney High School in Visalia, CA.

Q. What college or university did you attend and what was your major of study? 

A. I attended Humboldt State University. I started as an Environmental Science major before changing to Education.

Q. What was your favorite subject to learn while in school? 

A. I enjoyed science classes the most. My favorite classes in college were Chemistry and Oceanography.

Q. What did you do prior to teaching at Bosco? 

A. Before teaching, I was an NCAA compliance officer for several different universities. I worked in athletics ensuring the NCAA rules and regulations were followed by coaches, staff, student athletes and boosters.

Q. What inspired you to start teaching? 

A. I think I always knew I wanted to be a teacher. I really enjoy sharing my knowledge with others and getting them excited about it. The one thing I enjoyed as a compliance officer was teaching others about the rules. When I finally realized that was my passion, I left athletics to pursue a teaching job.

Q. What made you decide to teach at Bosco? 

A. I am very familiar with Bosco’s success both academically and athletically. As someone with an athletics background and the desire to teach, Bosco was the perfect choice. 

Q. Did you play any sports growing up and what was your favorite? 

A. I played several sports growing up, including basketball, softball and swimming, but cross country and track and field were my favorite. I continued to compete in college and still enjoy running to this day. 

Q. Do you enjoy watching any sports? If so, what is your favorite sports team? 

A. I love to watch sports. I enjoy any team with which I have a connection. I really enjoy college football, soccer, basketball and baseball. And of course, track and field. I am looking forward to watching more Bosco athletic events since I know many of the students. That’s what makes it the most enjoyable and exciting. I love to see my students doing what they love.

Q. What is your favorite food to eat? 

A. I am a vegan so I love vegan junk food. I love Beyond Meat Burgers but also love to make my own vegan chili.

Q. Outside of teaching, what are some things you like to do in your free time? 

A. I love to hang out with my family and friends. I enjoy yoga, surfing, paddle boarding and running and just started picking up golf. I have three dogs and no children, so I enjoy taking my dogs to the park, beach or just on a walk around the neighborhood.

Q. If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and why? 

A. Hmmm, that is tough. There are several places I would like to go. I would like to go to Europe and spend some time in several different countries. My favorite place that I have already been to has to be Sweden. It’s old and beautiful.

Q. What is your favorite movie or TV series to watch?

A.  I enjoy watching reruns of old TV shows like Big Bang Theory. I recently got hooked on the Gilded Age. My guilty pleasure is watching Below Deck. It is a reality show about staff on a yacht catering to super-rich people. There is a lot of drama. 

Q. If you had the choice to either travel back in time or travel to the future, what would you do and why? 

A. Also tough. I would enjoy going back in time to spend a lot more time with my grandparents and great-grandparents. I would probably also pay way more attention to the advice older adults gave me. 

Q. What type of music do you like listening to? 

A. I like to listen to just about everything. Although I am not much of a country music fan unless it is really old.

Q. What is your favorite thing about Bosco so far? 

A. By far, the students. You all just make my day. Sometimes you all can be little scoundrels, but you all are still the best thing about Bosco.

Q. What is your favorite season of the year and why? 

A. It used to be Summer, but they are getting so hot these days. I love water, so being able to spend time by a lake or the beach is my favorite and that usually occurs during warmer weather.

Q. What is one interesting thing about you that nobody knows? 

A. I know how to sew. Not sure how interesting that is.

Q. Who is the most inspirational person in your life and how have they impacted you? 

A. Too many to choose. My parents and family, of course. Perhaps, Animal Activist Gene Baur. He spent his life rescuing animals from deplorable conditions. He is the founder of Farm Sanctuary. Because of him, I am vegan and a huge animal advocate.

Q. What would you say to a student who doesn’t particularly enjoy the subject of chemistry? 

A. I would tell them that they wouldn’t exist without it. Chemistry makes up everything, how can you not find it interesting?! With foundational knowledge of chemistry, you can find other scientific disciplines that you may find more interesting.

Q. What is something that you want the Bosco community to know about you?

A. I am the biggest animal lover in the world! If you have a sad story about an animal, don’t share it with me. It will ruin my day!