Distinguished Teacher Megan Cook

You may never know what small action changed the course of a student's life and inspired them to realize a dream or passion. Waking up everyday knowing that you made a difference in the world is incredibly rewarding. Building human relationships and guiding adolescents through the teenage years is both amazing and frustrating and hilarious all at the same time. Be prepared for the experience by enjoying the company of children and always keeping a great sense of humor.

The best thing about teaching is watching students grow and realize they can do anything they put their mind to. You have a group of students for a year long journey of growth. They start the year, often unsure what their abilities are, and throughout the year they grow and witnessing that growth is truly one of the most spectacular experiences you will have. Witnessing the disruptive student suddenly realize they can do the work and be successful, or the quiet student who lacks confidence in their ability suddenly blossom and become a classroom leader, or the over achiever who learns from failure, all of them pushing you to grow with them. By the end of the journey or year, you have a connection that will be remembered for a lifetime.