Margaret Shepherd Teacher of the Year Award: Megan Daniel

MEGAN DANIEL MARGARET SHEPHERD TEACHER OF THE YEAR AWARD

Megan Daniel has been honored with the Margaret Shepherd Teacher of the Year Award from the Virginia Association of Independent Specialized Education Facilities (VAISEF). The award annually recognizes an excellent teacher who works with students with special needs and is employed by one of VAISEF’s more than 75 member schools. Megan has been teaching at LKS since 2017 and is known by all as a passionate educator whose excitement about teaching and learning is contagious. She has established herself as a leader among her peers and has spearheaded multiple initiatives to continue to grow our academic program. Among her many accomplishments, Megan proposed a school-wide reading initiative and was awarded $5,000 in grant money to purchase books and materials to support literacy in our program. This initiative has ignited a love for reading in our student body. Formerly reluctant and struggling readers are now experiencing success in reading. Megan also has a leading role in our school’s growing therapeutic drama program, which allows students to tell their stories, set goals, solve problems, and express their feelings. In the classroom, Megan creates a culture that promotes kindness, respect, gratitude, and vulnerability. She motivates her students by telling them what they are doing well and reflecting how she sees them as smart and capable individuals every day. Students respond well to her efforts: “She has pushed me to do my best by offering support,” said Henry. “She gives me challenges that fit my skill level, as well as being supportive and caring.” Will said, “She helps inspire me to find what I like and to move forward.” Megan uses cooperative learning in small groups, where each member of the team is responsible not only for learning what is taught but also for helping teammates learn, thus creating an atmosphere of shared achievement. “Megan teaches academic and social skills directly, breaking them down into component skills and providing scaffolding to support student learning,” said Jennifer Payne, Director of Academic Services. “She challenges students to overcome learned helplessness and think for themselves by asking effective questions that lead them to understanding.” “Megan sets her students up for success in school and life by teaching them to be independent learners with strategies to manage academic, independent living, and vocational challenges,” Jennifer said. “She definitely deserves this recognition.”