Jason BreMiller
Nature has always been integral to English instructor Jason BreMiller’s life. Born in Nashville, Tennessee, BreMiller moved often during his youth because his father served in the army. As a child, he spent much of his free time outdoors, and hunting and fishing were two of his favorite pastimes. He fondly recalls conducting science experiments with his father, an environmental biologist. “I remember one time we set these live capture traps for mice and rodents, and when we caught them we would tag them and map their movement patterns,” he said. His father often brought turtles, opossums and raccoons into the house.
Although initially he wanted to become a wildlife biologist, BreMiller gravitated more towards the humanities during his college years. “It was probably junior year in college when I started to think seriously about teaching,” BreMiller said. Learning under talented professors made him consider teaching as a career. “I had a series of really gifted teachers whom I found particularly inspiring, and who made me want to do for students what they had done for me,” he said.BreMiller credits the direction his life has taken to his early appreciation of nature: at Exeter, he serves as the Sustainability Education Coordinator and teaches a senior English elective called “Literature and the Land” among other classes. “I grew up in an environment closely tied to the natural world, so it felt inevitable in some ways that whatever I did might have that bent,” he said. “I think I always had this feeling that I would study English through this intersection with the natural world.”
“I had a series of really gifted teachers whom I found particularly inspiring, and who made me want to do for students what they had done for me.”
BreMiller was living in Maine with his wife, English instructor Molly Simmons, when a friend from college suggested teaching at Exeter. After leading classes at the Exeter summer school, BreMiller realized he wanted to stick with the Harkness method. “Rather than having to devote so much time to mapping the intricacies of each class, I’m freed to let the students shape the contours of the classroom space,” he said. “It feels like a sustainable model of teaching that I can do indefinitely.”
Although BreMiller originally came to Exeter to teach English, he later picked up the position of Sustainability Education Coordinator when offered by former principal Tomas Hassan. BreMiller was initially tentative to accept the position because of his lack of a formal background in sustainability, but later chose to take the role. “My training is in ecocriticism and environmental literature and writing,” he said, “but sustainability involves things that I care deeply about, so it felt like a plausible transition.”
So far, BreMiller has enjoyed the environmental focus, as it allows him to connect with a wide range of student, faculty and staff members. “On any given day, I might have conversations with members of facilities on a sustainability project or with students from any of the other twelve environmental clubs on campus,” he said.
Some of the environmental initiatives that BreMiller leads are Sustain Magazine, Trash2Treasure, The Exeter Exchange, E-Proctors and the Environmental Action Committee. History Instructor Amy Schwartz, who is also involved with environmental action, said, “We have two big things in common: a love of the outdoors combined with a commitment to the environment, and hip replacements. So usually I am talking with him about one or the other.” She admires his passion for the environment and his ability to treat everyone, no matter their age, “as allies and partners.”
Community Service Coordinator Elizabeth Reyes also works with BreMiller frequently. She feels that his contagious energy and passion teach her more each time she interacts with him, and she can see that he loves the natural world. “I pulled up to the woods to cross-country ski with my family last week, and he and his family were coming out of the woods with Rosie [his daughter] in a ski trailer and Mr. Bre enjoying his fat-tire bike in the snow. He loves the outdoors, and it shows,” said Reyes.
Outside of the school calendar, BreMiller also participates in environmental programs. In 2010, he trained with the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS), and became an instructor. Since then, BreMiller has been facilitating a partnership between Exeter and the organization, enabling a group of Exeter students to participate in an 8-10 day NOLS trip over the Thanksgiving and spring breaks. Last summer, BreMiller also started a new program called the Environmental Literature Institute at Exeter, which gathers students from all over the world to view the humanities through an environmental perspective. “One of the things I feel most grateful for in my professional life is being able to splice professional responsibilities from most of my passions,” he said.
BreMiller encourages students and faculty to pursue their own passions. Upper Meg Bolan, who felt influenced by his energy and enthusiasm, said, “he wants everyone to get involved in anything, and he pushes students to think about the broader scope of what an effective community looks like.” Upper Lara Galligani said that BreMiller has demonstrated the ability to impact everyone that he meets. Lower Grace Gray agreed, saying, “Mr. Bre has showed me how to take environmental initiative in my life and how to connect well with others.”
BreMiller resides in Peabody Hall with Simmons and their two children, Rosie and Alden. Students in Peabody think highly of him and especially appreciate his commitment to bringing students together to discuss issues that affect the dorm. Senior Alec Howe noted BreMiller’s role as a problem-solver and peace-keeper in the dorm. “His door is always open and he is more than willing to discuss students’ problems with them. He is incredibly respectful of students,” Howe said, praising that BreMiller as, “a man who loves his family above all else, who demands that dorm members respect one another, a person with a deep appreciation for the great outdoors.” Lower Thomson Brand agreed, saying, “it’s special that Mr. BreMiller brings his kids around with him.” Proctor and senior Austin Scronce said about BreMiller, “his ability to connect to people makes him very endearing.”
Overall, BreMiller is known for his kindness. His presence on campus and a simple wave from him on the pathway is enough to make Exonians smile. Upper Sophia Oguri said, “he treats every interaction with such keenness, attentiveness and passion so that you’re comfortable and you know that he will care for whatever you’re asking about.” BreMiller has found a place at Exeter for his combination of his passions: the environment, literature and interacting with people. BreMiller has a bright outlook for the future of sustainability on campus, and he hopes to guide Exeter in its journey to become an ecologically-conscious school. He said, “I love Exeter, it’s by far been the best place I’ve ever taught. The school is really starting to think about the implications of climate change, and I think there’s more that we can do curricularly and practically so I hope we can move into that direction.”