Engaging Bobcats Journey12

We sit down this month with Marleis Trover, someone who brings immense passion, not only to her role as an educator, but to her role as an advocate for educational equity and a passer of the administrative torch. I’ve known Marleis for years, and have seen her on numerous occasions, standing up for our kids, and making pathways for the betterment of her fellow educators through her work at McKendree University with doctoral candidates and superintendent candidates. In a word, Marleis is dedic...

We welcome Meridian teaching phenoms Jennifer Beshue and Lisa Thomas aboard our podcasting ship to talk about Meridian schools' unique, organic culture and how it benefits everyone involved. The pair break down the reputation of Meridian as a "family" and highlight the exceptional support they receive from other faculty. We brainstorm about what can be done to provide better resources for students outside of the school, and we're so grateful to receive their insight into the challenges and sc...

We had the honor to speak with Teale Betts at Shawnee Community College about some of the programs and pathways she has to help Meridian students not only prepare for their success while still in high school, but to provide postsecondary support once they’ve graduated. The Meridian School community is so lucky to have access to education advocates and career professionals like Teale, and, as you’ll hear in our conversation, there is no shortage of enthusiasm for the work she does or for the k...

Randy Gardner is the Director of Maintenance for Meridian, and he supervises a 10-person crew who make sure the buildings and all the mechanical systems serving them remain clean, functional and safe. When there’s a new playground, roof, or fencing system to install, Randy is the person the district turns to to make sure it’s done right. In advance of last month’s Field Day, Randy even saw to it that a 100-foot Zipline was installed on the grounds. In short, there isn’t any aspect of the scho...

Today is Friday, May 20th, one day before the Meridian Class of ’22 walks across the stage and receives their high school diplomas. I just want to say how proud I am of the young people of this remarkable school community. During this past year, I have had the opportunity to speak with dozens of these kids and have come to better understand their hopes and dreams as well as their tragedies, setbacks, and frustrations. But, to a person, each and every Meridian student I have had the honor to m...

Napoleon Cook, Ben Tucker, and Jabron Bedward have plans for the days, months, and years that will follow their graduation on Saturday. They’re pragmatic young men. But they’re also brave young men, willing to dream and to take risks necessary for positioning themselves for a positive future. And as I held a nearly 30-minute conversation with them, it occurred to me that everything is created twice: First in the mind, and second in reality. No one thing worthy of pursuit happens without first...