Baltimore County Paraeducator
2024 MSEA ESP of the Year Meghan Anderson
MSEA’s 2024 ESP of the Year Meghan Anderson is a Baltimore County education support professional who supports regional social emotional learning at Parkville Middle School. “Our program,” she says, “aims to foster a positive school climate by equipping students with tools to understand and manage their emotions, develop empathy and positive relationships, make responsible choices, and navigate social challenges effectively.”
Meghan entered public education working with students with autism or who had been diagnosed as multiply disabled. “I began to see the value of understanding the function of behavior and that behavior was just another form of communication,” she says, “It also inspired my drive to advocate for awareness and acceptance for students with disabilities within our district and community.
“When our students know you genuinely care about them and that you are judgment-free, you gain their trust and you build an unbreakable bond. I’m a firm believer that the most meaningful education comes from building positive relationships in the classroom based on understanding and accepting differences. This is a value system I try to instill in my students daily.”
She’s involved in other areas of her school as well—as leader of the SADD Club (Students Against Destructive Decisions), racquet sports teams coach, and a member of the school’s crisis response team and the PTO.
Watch Meghan’s speech at the MSEA representative Assembly
Her union leadership makes an impact as a member of the professional development committee for her union, the Education Support Professionals of Baltimore County. “Good PD not only enhances individual and organizational effectiveness, but it promotes career advancement and fosters a culture of innovation and adaptability in our schools and classrooms. As a presenter, the purpose of my sessions is to enhance communication, disseminate information for the purpose of advocating for contractually obligated rights and expectations, discuss job responsibilities, and problem-solve real problems in real time.”
Meghan is also a student! “As of spring 2023, I’m studying at Bowie State University as a member of the Baltimore County Public Schools Grow Our Own Cohort. I am enrolled full time as a dual major in early childhood education and special education. Through hard work and determination, I have been blessed to maintain a 4.0 GPA.”