Assistant principal brings athletic success, leadership to Desert Wind

Mallory Miller, the new assistant principal at Desert Wind Middle School, knows a thing or two about leadership and success.

Miller was a team captain for the University of Arizona women’s soccer team and was honored as an All-American, Pac-10 Player of the Year and National Player of the Year finalist after her senior season in 2005.

She was also named the University of Arizona Woman Athlete of the Year and broke single-season and career records for women’s soccer including goals scored, assists and games started.

She grew up in Tucson and attended Salpointe Catholic High School.

“My parents always told me I had too much energy, so they started me in AYSO (American Youth Soccer Organization) at the age of 5,” Miller said. “I loved just running around on the field and being involved in a team-sport atmosphere. My love for soccer never stopped, and now I have the opportunity to share my passion with the next generation of student-athletes.”

In addition to teaching kindergarten for one year in Tucson, and second grade for four years in Phoenix, Miller has coached soccer for 11 years at the middle school, high school, club and college levels.

Last year was her first as head coach for Maricopa High School.

“Last season the program saw its first-ever winning season with a record of 10-7-1,” Miller said.

“We won the Apache Junction winter tournament with a record of 5-0 and allowing no goals against in the five games.”

Although she won’t be coaching soccer at Desert Wind with all her other responsibilities coaching the high school team and working toward her master’s in educational leadership, she is bringing her passion for education to her new role as assistant principal and dean of students.

“I extremely happy to be working in education because I love to teach students, and I’m able to consistently interact with people whether it be students, parents, co-workers or others in the community,” Miller said. “I also am able to learn and grow every day, which I’m extremely grateful for.”

Miller describes how she plans on juggling the responsibilities of being an assistant principal and high school soccer coach.

“I have put together an outstanding coaching staff who I have already met with this summer and explained what duties and responsibilities I’m looking to get from each of them,” Miller said. “I also have an extremely supportive boss in Renita Myers, the new principal at Desert Wind, who pushes me to pursue my love for coaching soccer.”

Miller said, “The best part about working in coaching and education is seeing children achieve what they believe and or perceive to be impossible.” ***ADVERTISEMENT***