Faculty Feature | Erica Milliken

Name: Erica Milliken P'14, '16, '19
Current role & department: Faculty, Physical Education & Health
Year you started at Albany Academy: 2001
Alma mater(s) and degrees: Springfield College, Bachelor's in Physical Education

What inspired you to become a teacher?

"My elementary physical education teacher definitely inspired me. Academics didn't fully capture my attention, yet I was very active. My teacher channeled that energy into my physical education and I was a standout there. That built my confidence, made me feel good, and I wanted that for other kids."

What strategies do you use to spark student engagement and creativity in your classroom?

"Keeping the kids moving and finding things that they like. Not everybody wants to do soccer or has certain athletic abilities. I try to find something they’re positive in and work that into a lesson in the unit. Physical literacy, just like academics, needs to be developed. There are progressions before we walk, progressions before we throw a ball, etc. I want them to know about that so they can really think about it and achieve their goal."

What is a fun or unexpected fact about you?

"My friends and I like to see Rick Springfield, I’ve seen him four times and been backstage twice! My favorite song is Jessie’s Girl."

Favorite book or movie?

"My favorite movie is While you Were Sleeping. I like the unexpected!"

What is your favorite Albany Academy tradition?

"Maybe it isn’t so much a 'tradition' but I love the first day of school. The energy that comes from the teachers, the parents, the students. It’s such a beautiful day every year."

How do you see students growing or evolving during their time at Academy?

"Working mostly with Lower School kids, seeing the maturity level as they get older is incredible. Something happens with them from Lower to Middle, and then when they go to Upper, the child that was so impulsive or so active or so shy, they're so different now. They could be in control, look you in the eyes. The shy ones are out doing big things.I have some kids that never, ever like to run, and then I see them on the track, I'm like, ‘Oh my gosh.’ It is full circle, and I love that."

What’s something you’re especially proud of in your career?

"I am very proud to have twice received the Teacher of Excellence award. I’m proud of building the Lower School physical education curriculum with my colleagues.  

Anything else you’d like to share?

"I’ve been here for 25 years, I’ve seen a lot. I loved having my own kids here, I just couldn’t think of a better place that my kids could go to and get an education. And not just the education, the manners. My boys still hold doors open, it’s a simple thing, but those manners and professionalism. My daughter is the same way. They lift others up when they see people struggling. I’m very proud."