Kearney School District is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Dan Miller as the new Principal at Kearney Middle School.

Dr. Miller will transition from his current position as an Assistant Principal at Kearney High School starting on July 1. His appointment was approved during a special session yesterday by the Kearney School District Board of Education on the recommendation of Superintendent Emily Miller (no relation).

“Dr. Miller brings with him a wealth of experience, a passion for education, and a commitment to student success,” Dr. Emily Miller said. “His leadership skills and dedication to creating a positive school culture make him an ideal fit for the KMS community. Dr. Miller’s collaborative approach and his ability to build strong relationships with students, staff, and families make him a dynamic and inspiring leader.”

He recently earned a Doctorate of Education from William Woods University. That was in addition to his bachelor’s degree in education from Missouri State University, a master’s in educational administration from William Woods and a specialist degree from Northwest Missouri State University.

As an assistant principal at KHS since 2018, Dr. Miller successfully implemented various initiatives to enhance student engagement and academic achievement. Before that, he taught social studies and led the department at KHS starting in 2010. His skills in the classroom led to a 2015 Northland Regional Excellence in Education Award nomination.

As principal, Dr. Miller’s primary focus will be to foster a supportive learning environment where every student feels valued, respected, and empowered to reach their full potential. He is deeply committed to promoting a culture of academic excellence, while also nurturing the social-emotional growth of each student. With a steadfast dedication to inclusivity and open communication, Dr. Miller aims to foster strong partnerships with parents, guardians, and the wider community to ensure the success of every child.

“I am humbled and excited for the opportunity to serve Kearney Middle School as principal next school year,” Dr. Miller said. “I have watched this building from afar during my time in Kearney and have always admired the strong culture and outstanding teachers. I look forward to getting into KMS to learn the middle school philosophy and build relationships with students, staff, and parents. Go Bulldogs!”

Dr. Miller’s appointment is the result of current KMS Principal Bart Woods’ recent retirement announcement. Mr. Woods has been a member of Team KSD for nearly three decades. In that time, he has helped generations of students successfully navigate those often-challenging middle school years. He has also mentored uncounted teachers and school leaders.

KPGZ News - Ray Weikal with the Kearney School district contributed to this story