New English instructor Mia Franz grew up the daughter of an independent school English teacher and loved writing and reading, especially poetry and mysteries, and was frequently published in her school’s literary magazine. Despite this, she went off to college determined to stay “undecided” in her major for as long as possible, which lasted all of one semester. She graduated with honors with an English degree, a minor in religious studies, and as a proud member of the first poetry writing concentration class at the University of Virginia (Charlottesvilla, Va.). After a year of travel and work, she earned her MFA in creative writing/poetry at Indiana University (Bloomington, Ind.). Like her father before her, she chose the path that allowed for the joy of connection through relationships: she became an independent school English teacher.

While teaching, coaching, and mentoring at Foxcroft School (Middleburg, Va.), Mia met Robert, and when they married in 2010, one of the strong threads that bound them was their love of teaching (Robert teaches history at St. Andrew’s). In 2015, the family, now including Owen and Gareth, moved to Tampa, Fla. An on-again/off-again runner, Mia decided she needed to find a hobby that she could pursue indoors during the eight months of Florida’s summer weather, so she started practicing yoga, and two years later, earned her 200-hour teaching certification. The family took advantage of summer breaks to travel, visiting family and friends up and down the East Coast as well as several national parks and the rainforests and beaches of Costa Rica.

Now, Mia, Robert, Owen (age 13), and Gareth (age 11), cats KK and Yeti and dogs Artemis and Astrid, are excited for the next adventure at St. Andrew’s. In her free time, Mia can be found reading; walking/jogging; practicing and teaching yoga, meditation, and breathwork; and baking sourdough and sweets.