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There is an exciting new vibe in the air at Howard D. McMillan Middle School in West Kendall. It began with the arrival of the school’s new principal, Dr. Justin Koren, who formerly was an assistant principal at Miami Killian Senior High School.
“Dr. Koren has brought a lot of energy and excitement to the school,” said lead teacher Idelsy Rodriguez. “Parents call me and say, ‘I heard that Howard D. McMillan is awesome and I want my kids there, regardless of whether they are accepted into the magnet program.’ We have kids on a waiting list to get in.”
This is all according to plan, according to Dr. Koren.
“We want our students, faculty and staff to be excited about coming to school,” he said. “To create this excitement, we’ve been changing the culture of the school, which everyone told me would take time and be difficult to do. And yet, in less than a year, we’ve done it.”
Upon arrival at the 910-student McMillan Middle School, a visitor sees fresh flowers at the security kiosk and can’t miss the newly painted walls and brightly colored “Be M-Powered” displays in the hallways. Students are encouraged to “Be Someone’s Hero” and make the day a bit brighter for each other through acts of kindness and caring.
For example, Caesar Gonzalez, a student in the eighth grade, noticed that a staff security monitor appeared to be feeling unwell and notified school administrators. Fire rescue was called and an impending heart attack may well have been narrowly avoided thanks to the student’s quick actions.
Patricio Villoria has been a civics teacher for 31 years and sees the tide of change at McMillan.
“The kids feel cared for and they have a real desire to come to school,” Villoria said. “There is more spirit and energy because they know they are supported and are being encouraged to be innovative. It’s a welcome change.”
Morale also is high at the school among faculty and staff, according to media specialist Karina Moncada.
“Dr. Koren gives us an idea and allows us to run with it,” she said. “There is a sense of camaraderie and we find ourselves not wanting to leave at the end of the day.”
“We feel seen and appreciated,” added head custodian Jorge Calzadilla. “This motivates us to do even more to keep our school clean and safe.”
Howard D. McMillan Middle School is home to the Cambridge Robotics and Medical Magnet programs, both of which are full-to-capacity with hard-charging students. This year, the school was conferred the Magnet Schools of America “Top National School of Excellence Award” in New York City for the first time in McMillan’s history.
Recently, McMillan’s magnet robotics team, “STEM Squad,” won the Florida middle school robotics championship and competed in the world competition in Dallas. The school’s chess team placed third in the nation at the U.S. Chess Federation’s national competition in Atlanta, and the medical magnet’s “Future Health Professionals” team is heading to the national competition in Houston this summer.
“The chess competition was a little scary and I was nervous, but it was definitely the best thing I’ve done in middle school,” said eighth grader Lian Mateu, McMillan’s top chess player.
“We have great kids doing amazing things,” Dr. Koren said. “The drama program is back with a vengeance after a multiple-year hiatus and competed at the State Thespian Festival.
The ESOL program, for students learning the English language, is stronger than ever and our boys’ soccer team won the district championship this year. Every child has a superpower and our mission is to help them tap into it and nurture it into something special.”
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