Principal Transforms Astronaut
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Principal Transforms Astronaut

Principal Transforms Astronaut

Astronaut High School Principal Krista Miller is considered a “phenom” in the education world. At 32, this Titusville native became one of the youngest principals in Brevard Public Schools, and last year, she was recognized as one of LEAD Brevard’s “4 Under 40” for outstanding commitment to leadership, engagement and service.

Education is a family affair. Krista’s mother is a retired teacher. Her dad (also retired) was the dean/assistant principal at Titusville High School. Her sister, Stephanie, is an assistant principal at Space Coast Jr./Sr. High School. Her aunt and uncle are both retired teachers and administrators, and her grandmother served as office clerk at Apollo Elementary.

Since joining the Astronaut family, Krista has changed the school culture and created a student-focused learning environment. Krista has brought back many of Astronaut’s traditions including the homecoming parade. She created the Booster Club/Athletic Hall of Fame and a community-led student mentoring program where local leaders serve as role models. She instituted the AVID college and career readiness program schoolwide and, as a result, is providing post-secondary opportunities and a highly collaborative culture of success for all Astronaut students.

Gary Shiffrin, former principal of Merritt Island High School, who hired Krista to be his assistant principal at age 26, said, “She knows the perfect formula for building and maintaining relationships with colleagues, students, parents, and the community.”

Krista does not view Astronaut’s trials due to the area’s decline since the loss of the space shuttle program as a hindrance. She embraces the opportunity it presents and has met every challenge with confidence and determination.  

“Krista has always been a leader. She looks for ways to improve whatever she identifies as a challenge or is in need of change,” says Bobby Pruett, principal at Satellite High School, and one of Krista’s mentors. “She has an energy and passion about her work that is unmatched.”

Krista’s proudest role is that of wife and mother.

She and husband, Kyle, celebrated their 10-year anniversary in January. Kyle is a reading interventionist and athletic director at Madison Middle School. He also coaches baseball. The two met in kindergarten at Apollo Elementary and advanced through school together until graduation from Titusville High. While not close friends, they shared a mutual social network.

They reconnected when Krista emailed Kyle after seeing him coach a volleyball game at Titusville.

“He called me that weekend… and the rest is history,” she says with a chuckle.

Today, they are proud parents of Stephen, 5, and Kylee, 7, who says she wants to be “a principal, like my mom” when she grows up.

Krista says the greatest challenge of being a working mom is finding balance. “It’s never easy... This is something I struggle with and work toward every day.”

She gives props to Kyle for being “her rock.”  “I am so blessed he supports me and our children to have a ‘normal’ life outside of school.”

Krista is looking forward to spending Mother’s Day on the beach with her family. Shortly after, she will be handing diplomas to 265 Astronaut graduates.

 

Read more in our DIGITAL MAGAZINE.

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