Spotlight: Meghan Menchella (MO '23)

As a newly minted Missouri Milken Award winner, social studies teacher Meghan Menchella plans to further her studies with an educational specialist degree in K-12 educational leadership and administration. Meghan attributes her success to role models like her high school AP European History teacher who saw her potential for leadership. Now in her own history classes, she encourages students to be community leaders that think critically and demonstrate curiosity. “At the end of the day, I hope students remember my class with fondness. Of course, I care that they learn social studies and learn to become a civic-minded citizen, but I hope my impact on them is much greater than that.” Meghan received a 2023-24 Missouri Milken Educator Award in Ellisville on November 17, 2023.

Milken Family Foundation: How have students responded since your Milken Educator Award surprise?

Meghan Menchella (MO '23): My students have been so excited for me and the school in general. They are very inquisitive and are always asking questions about what it means to win the Milken Educator Award and what my future will look like. The support from my students and the community has been overwhelming and I'm so grateful. I've had many discussions with my current students, but I was surprised to hear from so many former students as well. It's been so nice to read congratulatory messages from students I had years ago. 

MFF: Who are your role models as an educator? Is there an experience you had in the classroom as a student that shaped who you are as an educator?  

Menchella: In high school, I thought I wanted to be a teacher, but I knew I wanted to be a history teacher because of my AP European History teacher Mr. Jim Schulz. I'd never seen a teacher like him — he was captivating. He really made history come alive and took the time to make students feel welcome in his classroom. He was the first person who saw potential in me as a leader. However, during my college years, I didn't know if I would end up teaching in a classroom. I was tired of learning only theories and hypotheticals without getting real teaching experience. As I entered my final semester of college, ready to student teach, I had another job lined up as a leadership consultant once I graduated. I thought I'd do something else for a few years and then come back to teaching when I felt excited for it again. Everything changed when I met my mentor teacher, Mrs. Sally Huster. I was so inspired by her teachings and classroom interactions that I chose to stay not only in education, but in the same building where I started student teaching. She is a teacher who is so dynamic, kind, and engaging that I knew I wanted to work with her. She changed everything for me because I could see her love of students each day and the difference she made for each kid. Luckily, I now work with her on my team in eighth grade. I'm always inspired by the people I work with.

MFF: Tell us about your first year of teaching. 

Menchella: It was such a whirlwind, I hardly remember! I do remember leaning on my team, professional learning community and school community quite a bit. It was truly a group effort. So many people helped to guide me along the way that first year. I know that I owe so much to my school's principal at the time, Dr. Nisha Patel. She believed in me from day one. I did not have confidence and always felt that I was lacking in teaching when compared to my colleagues that first year. Dr. Patel was my biggest supporter. She gently pushed me to be the best teacher possible, always seeking me out to serve on leadership committees or offering wisdom when I didn't know I needed it. I have a twin sister that started teaching in the same year, so we heavily relied on each other to talk through our experiences. The memories that most stand out center around the students. I remember some of the jokes we shared and how much we laughed along the way.  

I just ran into a former student I had during my first year of teaching recently. She has since graduated college and will be starting her very first teaching job this fall! It has been great to see students grow into their own.  

MFF: What do you hope students remember from their time with you?

Menchella: At the end of the day, I hope students remember my class with fondness. I want them to know that I care about them and value them as a person overall. Of course, I care that they learn social studies and learn to become a civic-minded citizen, but I hope my impact on them is much greater than that. I hope they leave knowing they are valued, seen and loved. I want them to remember how much we laughed together and how much I believed in them. I truly love my middle school students. I hope they remember that I always did my best to teach them critical thinking skills, life lessons, and how to be a kind person to others.  

MFF: You’ve found incredibly creative ways to present history curriculum so that your students can relate to it. What is your favorite unit or project to work on in the classroom? 

Menchella: I love teaching units over the Revolutionary War or the Civil War. Students are naturally more interested in those topics and there are so many ways to engage them. I've taught using crime scene investigations, history mysteries, scavenger hunts, podcast creations, Broadway musicals, virtual field trips, and more. I try to make each unit different from the last so my students stay engaged and interested. 

My favorite thing I've done recently is having my Academic Lab students participate in a book study over Stolen Into Slavery by Judith and Dennis Fradin. We read a chapter a day about the true story of Solomon Northup and reflect on his experiences together. Through that project, I see students completely engage, think critically, and demonstrate curiosity. In fact, I saw students who started as reluctant readers turn into students who were sneaking ahead to finish an extra chapter. I also have a language arts background, so I love incorporating literacy into any unit.  

MFF: What advice would you share with people who are interested in becoming teachers?  

Menchella: I would say that teaching is an emotional investment. There is so much more to this job than just teaching content. While that is important, the center of our job is our students. We come to work each day to help our students grow and achieve more than they thought possible. We strive to educate the whole child. These students are in your classroom all year long, and the connections you create with them will be the most memorable for the teacher and the student. Our job is to empower the next generation and equip them with the best possible chance of succeeding in school and beyond. The other piece of advice I would give is to rely on your support system. Teaching is a hard job if done correctly. Your support system can encourage you, guide you and look out for you. 

MFF: Are you working on any interesting initiatives or new projects these days? 

Menchella: I am using the money I received from the Milken Family Foundation to pursue an Educational Specialist degree in K-12 educational leadership and administration. I hope to become an assistant principal in the future, as I have a special passion for working not only with students but also supporting other teachers. My school, Crestview Middle School, has been incredibly supportive every step of the way. I am lucky to work with the best educators who care for kids and support each other every single day.

Watch our interview with Meghan Menchella (MO '23) on the day of her Milken Award notification: