Spotlight: Meghan Stubbs (ME '23)

Maine Milken Educator Meghan Stubbs is a 10^th through 12^th grade early childhood education teacher at Hancock County Technical Center. Stubbs is passionate about equipping students for future leadership roles and emphasizing the importance of civic involvement. "I hope my students know I care about their futures and the great things they’ll be bringing to the world." Stubbs received a 2023-24 Maine Milken Educator Award in Ellsworth on November 29, 2023.

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

My students were very excited for me. The award opened a door to talk about all of the different educators that also received the award. As future educators, it’s great for them to see that there are people out there that notice your efforts! 

MFF: Who are your role models as an educator?  

All of my previous educators are role models in their own regards. A few public figures I love to show my students are Ron Clark, and how passionate he is, as well as Brad Cohen, who overcame odds and has shown students there are no true limits. 

MFF: Is there an experience you had in the classroom as a student that shaped your practices or motivation to teach?  

Something that stuck with me was my second grade teacher’s patience and ability to break the mold to make sure all of her students were learning how they needed. I was a student that always wanted to be engaged and moving. We had single desks, and my maiden name started with a ‘B,’ so I should have sat in the front of the room all year. Instead, she let me sit in the back. As long as I stayed within my space and participated in assignments, I was allowed to sit or stand however I needed. I remember feeling so engaged in her class to the point where I had originally planned to be a botanist to find a cure for diabetes and other diseases.   

MFF: Tell us about your first year of teaching. What memories stand out? Who or what helped you through it?  

My first year of teaching in a public school was a whirlwind. I had moved from Maine to a big city in Texas. To this day, taking the time to get to know each of my students has been the one thing that has helped me teach each one the most.  I also had some great coworkers to lean on and learn from.  

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

I just hope they have a lingering feeling of being at ease, and that getting the work done was never forced or left a bad memory. I hope my students know I care about their futures and the great things they’ll be bringing to the world. 

MFF: How has your involvement with SkillsUSA, both as an advisor and a board member, influenced your teaching and your students’ development? 

My first year at HCTC, I didn’t know anything about SkillsUSA. Thankfully we had two chapter advisors that helped me along, and I caught the bug immediately. My second year, although I spent time on maternity leave, I was still able to prepare my students to participate in the SkillsUSA Maine championships, which I was also able to attend. SkillsUSA is an amazing co-curricular that allows students to show their strengths in their skilled trade area or in their soft trade and leadership areas. SkillsUSA opens the door to scholarships and job offers with some amazing schools and businesses. Even students who don’t compete are able to learn about the SkillsUSA framework which focuses on personal skills, workplace skills, and technical skills grounded in academics. Those are all things students need to become strong participating citizens. Working as a board member has deepened my understanding of how the state and national levels run. It takes a lot of commitment from adults to make sure this amazing opportunity can happen for students.  

MFF: You've organized field trips to the state capital, where students advocate for early childhood education. How do these advocacy experiences impact your students’ understanding and appreciation of civic involvement?  

I am very lucky that our MAEYC is active with our CTE/ECE classes and keeps us involved with updates on new laws and legislation moving for ECE. Having my students attend these state house events to show politicians how many people care about the future of public education helps them understand how important it is to stay in the loop for current laws or legislation being passed or not passed, and what that will mean for their teaching in the future.  

MFF: What drives your passion to develop this sense of civic duty within your high school students? 

When I first entered the world of education, I didn’t realize how different federal and state legislation was when it came to education. You hear the term “Department of Ed.,” and I assumed those are the only people who will be handling the education at a state level. Now I have learned how many people are involved and how many educators lobby for change and serve on boards to help explain needs. Especially in a state like Maine where you have very rural populations, I want to make sure my students head into the education profession with a foundation and a level of comfort with looking into what is being passed in education, how can it help or limit their populations, and how they can speak up or take action themselves.  

MFF: What advice would do you share with your students who are interested in becoming teachers? 

I always tell my students that they have to find their passion. Passion is what keeps them showing up and wanting to be better for their students. I also tell them that they need to find their people. I wouldn’t be the teacher I am without my amazing coworkers. Teaching is not a job that can be done alone.  

MFF: Are you working on any interesting initiatives or new projects these days? Is there anything else you want to share about your school? 

Hancock County Technical Center is the most amazing place I have ever worked. The care and attention that each instructor gives their classes is unmatched in my opinion. This leads to great things for our students. Career and Technical Education in general is the best way to round out a student’s learning.