Since 2008, Signor Mills has been a dedicated educator, spending the last seven years in the North Arlington District. Originally, Mr. Mills earned a degree in European history from the University of Pennsylvania, inspired by his passion for history. However, he later pursued additional coursework and transitioned to teaching Italian. Teaching was initially his plan B; he first worked as a programmer in the financial field until the economy got very bad and the field had less opportunities.
He began his teaching career as a substitute teacher while teaching Italian in a two-hour adult program at Hoboken High School. Mr. Mills eventually became a certified full-time Italian teacher. Known for his strict grading and teaching approach, Mr. Mills aims not only for his students to master the Italian language but also to develop into respectful and responsible individuals.
He played football in college and earned an Ivy League football championship ring. In high school, he participated in football during the fall and basketball in the winter, and he spent the spring in the weight room. When playing football, he loved going helmet-to-helmet, claiming, “I knew that every time that happened, I was gonna win.”
His favorite aspect of North Arlington High School is its extracurricular activities. He announces soccer games in the fall, the freshman boys’ basketball team in the winter, and flag football in the spring. Although it doesn’t pay much, he says, “It’s cool because I get to see students actually on the field scoring goals, hopefully not giving up goals.”
Signor Mills prefers to teach a strong-willed, attentive class, but he still manages to make it enjoyable. For instance, when students answer a question incorrectly, he likes to yell “Wenhhh” as a buzzer sound, as if they were on a television show. He often reflects on a moment he shared with a student who asked for help learning how to tie a tie. He felt grateful that the student felt comfortable enough to ask him. He returned home with tears in his eyes and still gets emotional when he recalls that story, saying, “This is what makes teaching worth it.”
Signor Mills claims he does not have much free time due to his job as well as announcing games, and he lives far away, which means he often gets home late. However, he enjoys binge-watching TV with his wife and their two cats. He takes his wife to Penn football home games and basketball games every year.
His interest in history is reflected in his favorite books, particularly “Team of Rivals” by Doris Kearns Goodwin, along with works by William McCullough and Winston Churchill. He also enjoys cooking and is particularly proud of his lasagna, sausage and peppers, and penne pasta.
Signor Mills is also known for his unique storytelling about his life. He uses his experiences to encourage his students to always stay on the right path. He bravely shares his personal struggles to inspire them. Signor Mills hopes to retire in approximately twelve years. Overall, he is a determined and talented teacher who sets a strong example for his students.