Megan Anderson

When you enter Megan Anderson’s fifth grade classroom, you can’t help but notice the library of books that embody the various cultures and nationalities of her students, or hear music playing from various countries. 

The Chevy Chase Elementary School teacher couples her belief in high academic expectations with building trust with her students. She works to create an environment where children are not only learning and growing, but also feel welcomed and accepted. 

“I want them to feel comfortable sharing their background, their culture, their beliefs,” Anderson says.

Backed by a master’s degree in elementary education and a dual certification in bilingual special education, Anderson is skilled in modifying, accommodating and differentiating learning, while teaching students to become independent and critical thinkers. Her students become risk takers, confident readers and high achievers.

She also uses mindfulness and community circles to ensure her students can express their thoughts, feelings and opinions. Her students’ enthusiasm is a result of her contagious energy.

“She shows how she cares and values her students because she makes sure we get a good education and that we also have fun while we do that,” said one student.

Anderson has taken on numerous leadership roles that impact all students. In collaboration with the guidance counselor, Anderson served as the lead coordinator for the school’s ambassador program, which provides students with leadership opportunities.

During her time as a special educator, she implemented a SMARTS executive functioning curriculum after seeing a need with some students. SMARTS empowers students by helping them understand their strengths and weaknesses and teaching them critically important executive function strategies.

She also designed a summer school curriculum for rising fifth graders and trained colleagues on writing and tools for interventions. She attends fall festivals, band and chorus performances, hosts movie nights and bike rides to the zoo, where she is able to forge strong connections and build long-lasting relationships with students. 

Anderson’s deep connections with students and families extend beyond the walls of Chevy Chase Elementary. 

In one community where some of the school’s most vulnerable students live, she held additional reading nights and parent-teacher conferences. 

“I feel so lucky to work in an environment where I am surrounded by an administration and a group of people that help me to be the best that I can be,” Anderson said.