Lake Mary High School’s chemistry teacher Mr. Miller also known as “The Demo King” is everyone’s favorite. Senior Marcel Baez said, “I love Mr. Miller… he made Chemistry exciting.” Junior Sara Gross said, “Mr. Miller is super fun and sweet and he always made Chemistry fun” Mr. Miller was kind enough to answer a few questions.

1. What did you want to be while you were growing up?                                                                                             A: “I wanted to be a scientist.  My first two “loves” when it came to science were space science (astronomy) and earth science (geology.)  I still love both. Much of chemistry includes both of them.”

2. What inspired you to be a teacher? When did you decide you wanted to be a teacher?                                       A: “I have always loved to help people understand.  Science (and math) always came easy to me, and I felt bad that others had such a tough time with it.  So, I wanted to help them find a way to make something rigorous seem a little easier.”
   

3. What still motivates you to be teacher?
   A: “I love the “light bulb” moments when a student who is having a tough time with something finally figures out how to do it.  I can spot that moment right away, and it feels good.”
   

4. How would you describe yourself as a student in school and college?
   A: “In high school, I was a good student and didn’t have much of a life.  In college, I was much less responsible, and I occasionally paid the price for it.”
   

5. Have you ever had any side jobs?
   A: “Yes, I tutor in Chemistry and A.P. Chemistry on the side.”
   

6. How does it feel being the “demo king”?
   A: “I am comfortable with chemistry to the point where I can look in our stockroom, see certain substances that perhaps no one else uses, and think of a cool reaction I can do with them that will not only be visually interesting, but will also reinforce something I’m teaching.”
   

7. How has teaching changed your personality?
   A: “It has profoundly changed my personality.  I was very introverted, shy, and quiet when I was younger.  Now, I have no problem whatsoever talking in front of people, even if I don’t know them very well.”
   

8. What were your most favorite and least favorite subjects in school?
   A: “Certainly science and math were my favorite subjects, especially chemistry.  I wasn’t terribly fond of biology though. Least favorite: government. I’m bored to death with politics.  I do like history very much though.”
   

9. How long have you been teaching for?
   A: “This is my 12th year teaching.”
   

10.  Would you ever branch out and teach other subjects? If so, which subjects and why?
    A: “I have taught all grades of Middle School science, Chemistry, A.P. Chemistry, Physics, and A.P. Environmental Science.  I would like to teach Organic Chemistry and Nuclear Chemistry, but there doesn’t seem to be any interest in it.”
    

11. Why is “knucklehead” your favorite word?                                                                                                                 A: “I love “knucklehead” because I can say it without getting in trouble, and it can be any part of speech: a noun, a verb, or an adjective.”