College of Education Student of the Month

This award recognizes students who are knowledgeable, ethical, caring and good decision makers as demonstrated through leadership abilities, academic success, and a commitment to promoting the education through their involvement in the College of Education, the University, and/or the community.

Meghan Heeney
February 2010

Meghan Heeney came to Kansas State University to become a great teacher and receive a quality education. In the past year and a half, she has learned about philosophies, theorists, children’s books, the conceptual framework, and so much more. She has been in the classroom, interacted with the students, and gained some insightful field experience. However, the greatest way her college experience has influenced her is that she now is beginning to discover what she wants to do with her life and how she will get there. Meghan knows what kind of educator she wants to be and what knowledge her students need to walk away with. In order to be an effective teacher and a positive role model, it is essential to show enthusiasm, warmth, credibility, encouragement, and much more. Special needs students and diverse learners promote and embrace the importance of uniqueness. She has begun to gather resources and is learning how to effectively teach. Overall, Meghan looks forward to evolving in her education and becoming an esteemed teacher.

An organization that she has become particularly involved in over the past two years is K-State’s chapter of KNEA-SP. Meghan was first drawn to the meetings hoping to complete a professional hour requirement; however, she soon found herself returning for the ideas, resources, and networking. Involvement in an education-centered group is incredibly informative. She took on a leadership role during the spring of 2009 as Public Relations Chair. This position is responsible for creating, printing, and posting flyers about meetings. In addition, she organized the chalking of campus before all monthly meetings. This year, she extended her duties by taking on the positions of Newsletter Chair and Read Across America Co-Chair. As Newsletter Chair, she designs and prints the monthly newsletter for each meeting. For Read Across America Co-Chair, Meghan works with a colleague to organize this celebration of reading and Dr. Seuss’s birthday. This involves taking a group of volunteers into a local elementary school to interact with the kids by reading a book, doing an activity, and having a snack. Overall, KNEA-SP has not only been a positive addition to Meghan’s education career, but something she enjoys doing as well.

Learning is such an important part of life, especially for teachers. Meghan has always strived to do her very best at any task. Throughout college, she has worked diligently to maintain a 4.0 grade point average. In addition to gaining a wide amount of instructional and professional knowledge, her grades have allowed her to earn a few awards. Meghan was a recipient of the Medallion Scholarship, the Douglas (Donald R) Memorial Scholarship, and the Elvon G. and Lydia E. Skeen Education Fund. She also qualified for the College of Education Dean’s Honor List every semester. Most recently, she was awarded the Sophomore Scholastic Award by the honor society Phi Kappa Phi.

Meghan’s five-year-old sister Isabella has largely affected not only her career choice but her life in general. Isabella was born with Down syndrome, but still lives a joyous life. She has not only made Meghan a better person, but she also aided her in choosing Special Education as her area of concentration. It is her goal to be a positive influence for special needs students in the classroom. She wants to give them an outstanding education and something to look forward to when they come to school.

Education Council is pleased to recognize Meghan Heeney as a valuable part of the College of Education and the teaching profession.