Calvert County Teacher of the Year

Meagan Jeffries, holding Poppy the Poplar Island terrapin, is surrounded by her third grade class at Sunderland Elementary School.

 

Sunderland Elementary School third graders Olivia Lee, left, Kinsley Graul and Jazz Brooks examine the markings on Poppy the Poplar Island Terrapin, held by teacher Meagan Jeffries, during science. Jeffries was named Calvert County Public Schools’ Teacher of the Year last month.

 

Calvert public schools’ Superintendent Andraé Townsel, left, called Meagan Jeffries “an exceptional teacher.” Jeffries is Calvert’s teacher of the year.

 

Over a decade ago, West Virginia native Meagan Jeffries and her husband came to Maryland for “better job opportunities.”

Jeffries spent nine years teaching in Prince George’s County before she took a teaching post with Calvert County Public Schools two years ago. It hasn’t taken her long to make a favorable impression.

On March 20, the third grade teacher at Sunderland Elementary School was announced as the Calvert school system’s 2024 teacher of the year.

 

Jeffries told Southern Maryland News she was initially surprised to be chosen Sunderland’s teacher of the year. She then found herself vying with 22 other top teachers from the system’s schools.

 

“I was honored to be in the room,” Jeffries said. “It’s unbelievable.”

It was an unexpected opportunity to interact with children that inspired Jeffries to opt for the education profession.

“I wanted to be an audiologist,” she recalled.

While taking a class in West Virginia University’s audiology program, Jeffries found herself in the role of helping and instructing children, which made her realize “I loved teaching children,” she said.

Jeffries then enrolled in the university’s education program.

As an elementary school teacher, Jeffries said, “third is my favorite grade.” A child who started school in pre-kindergarten would be in year five of their education.

 

“They’re old enough where they can manage, they know their way around, but they’re not quite jaded yet. They’re still excited about school,” she said.

 

Third graders in Jeffries’ class have had an extremely busy year to date, as their versatile teacher schools them in many different subjects, including math, science and civics.

“We’re diving head-on into fractions, starting the ‘terrapin unit’ in science and learning about the branches of government,” Jeffries said, summarizing part of the current workload.

 

As a result of being named Calvert’s teacher of the year, Jeffries was given a laptop and other gifts. She and other Maryland jurisdictions’ teachers of the year will be recognized at an upcoming meeting of the state board of education.

One more perk is coming this summer when Jeffries and the other honored teachers will go on a retreat to Smith Island.

Another summer trip Jeffries has planned with her husband and two sons, ages 3 and 5, is a trip to Disney World.

 

“This prestigious honor was earned by an exceptional teacher,” Calvert public schools’ Superintendent Andraé Townsel said. “Her dedication to students, excellent pedagogy, and overall positive impact to the school community is a blessing to Calvert County Public Schools.”

“We’re so proud,” Pam Kasulke, Sunderland Elementary principal said of Jeffries’ accomplishment. “She’s an amazing teacher, a self-starter.”

 

Jeffries is also in the running for the honor of Maryland’s teacher of the year. The winner for that competition will be revealed at a gala event in October.

​Marty Madden - Southern Maryland News