Community Day School Hires First Ever Middle School Director

May 12, 2023 – Sarasota

After an exhaustive national search, Hershorin Schiff Community Day School – a Jewish day school that serves children of all faiths in preschool through eighth grade – has hired its first-ever dedicated Middle School Director. Dr. Vincent Miller, a former private school administrator and 2020 Polk County Teacher of the Year, will begin his tenure with Community Day School in July.

The move comes as the school continues to grow; its enrollment has more than tripled since 2015. With over 300 students currently enrolled, the school is seeking to expand its middle school program from the current number of 60 students to 90 over the next few years. Dr. Miller is not only a highly-credentialed educator, he is also an athlete, coach and renowned musician whose belief that an exemplary education – including a balance of academic success, arts and athletics – should foster the development of the whole child, something that aligns perfectly with Community Day’s philosophy.

Dr. Miller comes to Community Day from Academy Prep Center of Lakeland, a private middle school for students who qualify for need-based scholarships, where he served as Assistant Head of School. He is the Diversity and Inclusion Chair for Theatre Winter Haven, serves as an Adjunct Professor of Business at Warner University and formerly served as an Adjunct Professor at Southeastern University. He also traveled the world as a singer for Choozi Entertainment; he has performed on every continent except Antarctica.

He was awarded Teacher of the Year honors in 2020 while teaching math and coaching girls’ basketball at Winter Haven High School – his own high school alma mater. He is also dedicated to giving back and teaching young people to do the same: in 2007, he founded the nonprofit organization “Filling the Lane,” whose mission is to “Bridge the gaps between education, sports, arts, and community.”

“His commitment to creating environments that foster inclusivity and diversity is consistent with our mission,” said Head of School Dan Ceaser. “While Dr. Miller’s accomplishments are many, his enthusiasm and positive energy made him the overwhelming choice of our search committee – he is the perfect catalyst to grow our middle school! I’m thrilled not only for us but also for the wider Sarasota community, which will undoubtedly benefit from his presence here.”

Community Day School’s unique educational model combines a global vision with religious and cultural diversity, project-based learning, small class sizes, service learning and community partnerships. Through hands-on, experiential and collaborative learning opportunities that value each child’s unique abilities and interests, children are encouraged and empowered to become critical thinkers and problem-solvers. They are also immersed in an environment where kindness, inclusiveness, and community service are modeled in an effort to develop future compassionate leaders who will create a better world.

“As an individual with a deep passion for nonprofit work and a strong commitment to making a positive impact on the world, I was immediately drawn to the mission and purpose of Community Day. The school’s dedication to investing in students and fostering their growth as community leaders aligns perfectly with my own philosophy,” said Dr. Miller. “My goal while at Community Day is to build strong community relationships throughout the community and to help the school become recognized as one of the best middle schools in the State of Florida – and beyond.”

He also noted that he was inspired by the staff’s unwavering commitment to academic excellence and their desire to create a community of students who demonstrate integrity and a desire to improve the world. 

Dr. Miller earned his Bachelor of Arts in Criminalistics and Criminal Science from the University of South Florida; his Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Higher Education/Higher Education Administration and a Doctor’s Degree in Educational Leadership and Administration from Lynn University; and his Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Business Administration and Management from Webster University.

For more about Community Day School, visit communityday.org.