This High School Teacher Is Creating the Sex Ed Class Young People Deserve

Ahead of the 2024 school year, PS's The Educators is spotlighting 24 public school teachers around the country who are making a difference.

Drew Burdick Miller is a health and sex education teacher at Bard High School Early College in Manhattan, NY. With 14 years of experience, he also brings his expertise to TikTok, where he offers glimpses into "the health class you wanted and deserved as a young person." Keep reading to get to know him.

What inspired you to be a teacher?
I've always loved school and loved my teachers. I remember "playing" school with my sister or friends when I was younger and giving spelling tests or going on field trips. My high school health-education teacher and soccer coach Pete Ellis was my teacher inspo. He was so kind, caring, and fun, and he took time to get to know each of us.

What's the most rewarding part of your job?
A rewarding part is getting my young people to think about themselves, health, and sexuality and the world in a more nuanced way. Many of my students come into my classes thinking it's just "eat well and exercise," but health is much more complex.

What do you always make time for because it makes you feel good?
Naps are a must. I nap every day for around 20 minutes, even during the summer. I love them and look forward to them.

How do you practice self-care?
Self-care and recharging are usually things I do alone. I take space and will read, watch TV, nap, or just hang out. I love traveling during my breaks and on some weekends as a way to recharge and find joy. Spending time with people I care about also makes me feel good — my friends, my boyfriend, and my family. The beach is my happy place during the summer months.

What are you watching?
"House of the Dragon," "Real Housewives of New York City," and "RuPaul's Drag Race."

What are you reading?
"What We Don't Talk About When We Talk About Fat" by Aubrey Gordon.

What's your fitness routine?
I despise the gym but I use an app called Fitbod that makes mini weightlifting workouts for me to use. I much prefer playing sports (soccer, volleyball, Spikeball, swimming, hiking) as exercise.

What's your go-to feel-good music?
Lana Del Rey has always been my go-to. She usually ends up No. 1 on my Spotify Wrapped annually. Other than her, I love my pop and rap girlies. Rihanna, Cardi B, Megan Thee Stallion, Charli XCX, Chappell Roan, Azealia Banks, Dua Lipa, Beyoncé, Troye Sivan.

Yerin Kim is the features editor at PS, where she helps shape the vision for special features and packages across the network. A graduate of Syracuse University's Newhouse School, she has over five years of experience in the pop culture and women's lifestyle spaces. She's passionate about spreading cultural sensitivity through the lenses of lifestyle, entertainment, and style.