Archeology and Literature
My name is Megan, a forever teacher, sometimes archaeologist, and rarely without a Lord of the Rings quote for any occasion.
I began working with kids when I was one myself, almost ten years ago, as an assistant coach for a creative problem-solving and theatre club called Odyssey of the Mind, and I stayed on as a coach and judge for almost seven years. I volunteered as a writing tutor throughout my high school and college years and decided to leverage that experience into an actual career. I earned a CELTA certification to teach English as a second language in 2018. Then off I went to the Republic of Georgia (not the state; the country below Russia) to serve as a Peace Corps Volunteer. I taught English, creative writing, and American culture in my little village school to all grades, K-12. I spent my free time doing some more teaching, this time focusing on STEM, traveling to underserved, rural villages and facilitating hands-on science experiments. Upon completion of my Peace Corps service, I returned to the U.S., where I now work as an education specialist at the National Museum of the United States Army.
I earned my Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology with a History minor from the College of William and Mary in 2016. I received recognition for my history thesis on Polish history and awards for previous oral presentations of my research into labor union history. In terms of archaeological experience, I’ve excavated at four different sites in four countries (Israel, Georgia, Ireland, and the U.S.), ranging in time from a 2000 BCE mound city to a 1600s Algonquin village.
Based on my background in the humanities, I tend to stick to subjects such as archaeology, creative writing, history, ancient mythology, and literature when I teach. I do my utmost to create an inclusive, inquiring, and limitless space for my students to discuss the topics at hand, and I think it’s critical to connect these sometimes distant topics to our own values and experiences. The Socratic method, whereby a teacher leads students to answers rather than dishing them out, is my preferred method of teaching, much to the wailing of my high school-aged brother when he’s tired and doesn’t want to think anymore!
When I’m not teaching, I watch soccer, paint miniature figurines, read, and cook for my family. I have a rescue dog with two different colored eyes named Buddy who loves to chase birds and run into screen doors. I’m also a big-time Dungeons and Dragons nerd, which is fantastic since I can get too competitive and sulk if I lose a game to someone younger than me (my brother is a good example, here).
I hope to see you in my classes and I will leave you with this encouragement:
Forth, and fear no darkness!
(King Theodan, Return of the King)