Curt McMillen

University of Miami, School of Law, Coral Gables, FLLL.M.
- Real Property Development, suma cum laude, May 2012
Duquesne University, School of Law, Pittsburgh, PA
- Juris Doctor, cum laude, June 2011
University of Pittsburgh, College of Business Administration, Pittsburgh, PA
- Bachelor of Science in Business Administration-Finance, magna cum laude, May 2008

What role have public school educators played in your life?

Public School educators have played a profound role in my life. As with a lot of junior high and high school students, the majority of my days/evenings were spent at the school. Therefore, with the exception of my parents/family, my teachers and coaches at Hopewell were the primary influences in my life. My teachers stressed the importance of education and created an environment that was both challenging and rewarding. This type of environment, especially in high school, made for an easy transition to college. Additionally, my teachers and coaches instilled a hard work ethic in me, which I will be forever grateful. The work ethic that I developed at Hopewell was critical in helping me through college/law school and is absolutely necessary for my current employment. Finally, the teachers and coaches at Hopewell genuinely cared for the students’ well-being and wanted all of us to succeed.

How has your years in a public school setting enriched your life?

If I had to do it all over again, I wouldn’t change a thing. With the exception of the education I received, the most valuable aspect of the public school setting was the relationships I was able to form with my fellow classmates and teammates. The friends that I made at Hopewell remain a very important part of my life. In my opinion, the ability to work with others in a positive, productive manner is critical for success in pretty much every career and maintaining a generally healthy, happy life.

Why are electives (i.e. performance arts, languages) so critical in public school?

Electives provide students the opportunity to explore areas that they otherwise may not be exposed to. Diverse areas of study can challenge students, which ultimately, will lead to a more in depth level of learning.

What was your most memorable experience in your tenure at Hopewell schools (K-12)?

As a part of the Hopewell varsity football team, we won the 2002 State Championship. It was a really exciting time for our whole community.

Why is it important to encourage the next generation of educators to join the profession?

Our children are our future. I cannot think of a more important and noble profession than that of an educator as they have the ability to influence our children in a positive manner. Ultimately, educators can help secure the success of our future generations and society.