Wicomico County Public Schools is proud that two of its outstanding administrators are serving as commencement speakers at college and university commencement ceremonies in the community this spring.
Prince Street Elementary Principal Jason Miller was the commencement speaker for Wor-Wic Community College’s May 15 Spring Commencement, celebrating graduates and its 50th year as an institution serving the Shore. Miller spent his first two years in higher education as a student at Wor-Wic before transferring to Salisbury University.
Salisbury University’s 100th anniversary commencement ceremonies this week will feature two alumni: For the May 21 graduate ceremony, the speaker will be Aaron Deal, Supervisor of Educational Technology and the New Teacher Induction Program for Wicomico Schools. Deal is a former Maryland Teacher of the Year. For the May 22 undergraduate ceremony, the speaker will be Dan Quinn, Head Coach of the Washington Commanders.
“Jason Miller and Aaron Deal are not only excellent educators and leaders, they are shining examples of graduates of Wicomico County Public Schools going on to do great things,” Superintendent of Schools Dr. Micah Stauffer said. “In Wicomico County Public Schools our students are ‘Learning Today, Leading Tomorrow,’ and these two commencement speakers from Wicomico Schools certainly exemplify that.”
Jason Miller, Wor-Wic Community College Commencement Speaker
Miller’s public education journey began at Charles H. Chipman Elementary and Glen Avenue, continued at Wicomico Middle, and concluded with his 1999 graduation from Parkside High School. He was awarded the Wor-Wic Community College Board of Trustees Scholarship and attended Wor-Wic for two years, serving as the Student Government Association Vice President and President in 2000 and 2001, respectively. Through his leadership, the dolphin was chosen as the mascot for the college.
Miller went on to complete a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education at Salisbury University in 2003, graduating Summa Cum Laude. He earned a Master of Education Degree in Public School Administration from SU in 2006.
Hired as a teacher by Wicomico County Public Schools, he went on to be a math professional development coach, assistant principal, and principal at Westside Intermediate (2012-2016) and Prince Street Elementary (2016-present). Prince Street Elementary is rocking education with its “House System,” engaging all scholars and staff throughout the school.
“It was an incredible honor to speak at the Wor-Wic Community College commencement ceremony, especially during the college’s 50th anniversary celebration. Returning to my alma mater to address the Class of 2025 with a speech on ‘Riding the Wave to New Horizons’ was both humbling and inspiring,” Miller said. “It was a full-circle moment—standing where my own journey in education began, and now encouraging others as they embark on theirs while also representing Wicomico County Public Schools! I’m grateful to have shared in such a meaningful milestone with students, families, faculty, and the entire Wor-Wic community. Congratulations to the graduates, and here’s to 50 more years of excellence at Wor-Wic!”
Aaron Deal, Salisbury University Graduate Commencement Speaker
Aaron Deal attended Fruitland Primary, Fruitland Intermediate, Bennett Middle and Parkside High, graduating in 1986. He is SU’s first ever non-student Graduate Commencement speaker.
As he addresses SU students receiving graduate degrees Deal might seem like a clear-cut success story. But his path through higher education was not always smooth. He began his undergraduate studies at Salisbury University with great expectations for his future but with uneven dedication to putting in the work to be a successful student. He was put on academic probation and then was academically dismissed, losing his scholarship support for college.
Deal turned to the world of work to regroup, playing and teaching music and rekindling his motivation to learn. He earned and saved his way back into SU where this time he applied himself, eventually receiving his bachelor’s degree in Psychology (1993). He later earned his Master of Education degree with a focus on Teaching and Learning with Technology (2003). Later, he served four years as an adjunct professor at SU, teaching ELED 318 Computer in Education.
Deal began working in Wicomico County Public Schools as a substitute teacher, then took his first full-time staff position in 1994 as an assistant guidance counselor, an instructional assistant position. He then served as a teacher at East Salisbury Elementary and Salisbury Middle. He was a computer education teacher at Salisbury Middle when he was named the 2003-2004 Wicomico Teacher of the Year and then the 2003 Maryland Teacher of the Year. Since 2011 Deal has worked in the Central Office, serving Wicomico Schools as a pupil personnel worker, Central Office Technology Trainer, and supervisor (starting in 2019). Deal is the Supervisor of Educational Technology and the New Teacher Induction Program.
“I ask each of you to join a movement in which we serve as conduits and advocates, helping those around us to achieve their goals and cross their finish lines. I ask that you bottle the same energy you feel tonight and vow to extend this opportunity to someone within your sphere of influence,” Deal said in a preview of his speech to SU graduates.
