Emily Miller
Head of School
emiller@nantucketlighthouseschool.org
Meet Emily
Certificate in Early Education Leadership, Harvard Graduate School of Education
M.A. Curriculum and Instruction: Literacy Specialization, Lesley University
B.A. Sociology, Boston University
Orton Gillingham Certification, A/OGA
Teacher Certification: Massachusetts, Grades 1 - 6 and New Jersey, Grades K - 8
Since moving to the island at the age of five, Emily has called Nantucket home for most of her life and career. She first worked with the Nantucket Lighthouse School community in 2007, when she assisted the School with its development efforts. Since that time, Emily has had a long career as both an educator and administrator, both at the Nantucket Lighthouse School and off island. She is a passionate school leader with a demonstrated commitment to professional growth, particularly in the areas of teacher and child development, pedagogy, social emotional learning, literacy, organizational development, and diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging principles.
Over the past thirty years, Emily has served in a variety of roles in schools. She has had the unique experience of teaching children in all grades from preschool through eighth grade while also fulfilling the roles of head of school, board member, director of development, division head, learning specialist, support services coordinator, and parent of independent school children. While varied, she has enjoyed every one of these positions, each offering a new perspective and broadening her understanding of the dynamic and complex nature of schools.
What Nantucket Lighthouse School means to Emily
“It is with great enthusiasm that I join the Nantucket Lighthouse School community. Having worked in public and independent schools, both on and off the island, I have been fortunate enough to learn from a variety of experts in the field of education. I am excited to bring those experiences, as well as my certification in Orton Gillingham reading instruction and early education leadership through Harvard Graduate School of Education back to Nantucket Lighthouse School.
Having served as the School’s Head of School for ten years and lived on the island for most of my life, I feel an enduring connection to the Nantucket Lighthouse School, as well as the broader Nantucket community. What I have long admired about Nantucket Lighthouse School is its unfaltering commitment to developmental, whole child education and its ability to curate a learning environment that is simultaneously intentional and rigorous and beautiful and nurturing. Through an integrated, project-based curriculum, students are guided to delve deeply into their classroom studies, while also participating in weekly field trips and horticulture classes that allow them to form authentic connections with the natural world and their island community. Nantucket Lighthouse School students are the future stewards of our island, and of our precious Earth.”
