St. Stephen CSS teacher wins prestigious Archbishop Philip Pocock Award for Excellence in Religious Education

Apr. 3, 2025

St. Stephen Catholic Secondary School Religion teacher and curriculum chair Andrew Miller has been teaching for nearly 30 years.

In March, he was recognized for his teaching excellence in Religious Education as the recipient of the Archbishop Philip Pocock Award.

“This means a lot to me and hopefully it is a reflection of the many people who have helped me over the years,” Miller said. “I feel very blessed to be an educator and appreciate the work all staff have done to help me from receptionists, to custodians, EA’s, admin, other teachers, the Board, OECTA and especially my family – my son Thomas, daughter, Sylvie-Ann and my wife Joan Miller.”

Miller said he found out he was the award winner from St. Stephen CSS Principal Trevor Poechman a few weeks ago.

“He shared the news with me after I told him I had a rough week or so with bumps outside of work,” he said. “It was a real spirit lifter.”

“Andy is the consummate Religion educator. He embraces his faith, leads by example, and is a devoted servant leader in our community,” said Poechman. “Students, staff and parents are better people for having known Andy. We truly appreciate everything he does for the St. Stephen community.”

According to the Catholic Association of Religious and Family Life Educators (CARFLEO), the Archbishop Philip Pocock Award for Excellence in Religious Education is awarded annually to an individual who demonstrates the following characteristics:

• An Ontario Catholic school religious educator who demonstrates excellence in one or more of the following areas in Religious Education and faith formation:
  • Care and commitment to engaging and supporting student learning.
  • Knowledge and demonstration of best practices.
  • Innovations in practice.
  • On-going contributions beyond their own classroom at a provincial level.
  • Leadership in initiating and sustaining opportunities for growth with colleagues.
  • Continuous updating and improving of personal practice as a Religious educator.

“I do try to be positive and do love teaching and working with students,” added Miller. “Also helping with the students in activities outside of the classroom helps to make the day-to-day better for both students and myself.”

Miller began his teaching career in 1998 at St. Mary Catholic Elementary School in Grafton. He then transferred to St. Stephen CSS to teach religion for four years before moving to St. Peter CSS while he and his family lived in Peterborough over the next decade. He returned to St. Stephen CSS in 2016.