A student and a teacher | Meredith’s Student Story
Meredith Smith just wrapped up her 12th year of teaching - and she wasn’t just teaching this past year - she was also a graduate student in the School of Civic and Economic Thought and Leadership’s (SCETL) new Master of Arts in Classical Liberal Education and Leadership program.
Originally from Iowa, Meredith attended Arizona State University, and earned a degree in political science within 3 years. After graduation, Meredith immediately entered the teaching field, and obtained a position with the non-profit organization Teach for America, in south Phoenix. Meredith committed herself to the organization’s mission, working to help teach, develop, and support students from diverse economic and cultural backgrounds.
“It taught me how to work really hard and not give up on anything or anyone… It was a good experience and I am still in contact with some of those students,” said Smith.
Meredith left Teach for America when her husband was accepted into the Law School at Notre Dame. Meredith’s passion for teaching followed her on this move across the country. Once in Indiana, Meredith continued her teaching career, working with students at a Catholic school for three years, before the family returned to Arizona. Once back in Arizona, Meredith began teaching at Chandler Preparatory Academy, a Great Hearts Academy.
Not only does Smith see the SCETL MA program benefiting her future at Chandler Prep, it also relates to what she is teaching her 7th-grade students.
“This program is the college you wish you had. You get to talk about what you’re learning instead of having someone talk at you, said Smith. “The friendships are fantastic - you really get to know your classmates in a way that is meaningful.”
In addition to being a recipient of the Cook Family Graduate Scholarship from SCETL, Smith was recently presented with a Silver Apple Award from Arizona Bank and Trust.
“It was a surprise, to be honest!... I appreciate it deeply,” said Smith. “It was a little embarrassing for me because I don’t like to be the center of attention… But I felt honored.”
Up next for Smith? A new baby boy! The addition to her family of four is due any day now and Smith plans on taking the year off to focus on her family and graduate studies before she returns to teaching.
The MA program in classical liberal education and leadership, offered by the School of Civic and Economic Thought and Leadership, immerses students in timeless conversations about the big questions of human life.
All classes are taught through the Socratic discussion method, and students are provided with regular opportunities to hone their pedagogical leadership skills by leading select course meetings and receiving feedback on their progress as Socratic discussants. As in most graduate programs in the humanities and social sciences, students are evaluated primarily through written assignments that evidence careful thought and reflection, argumentation and textual analysis. Courses are offered across a wide range of subject areas including literature, politics, philosophy, mathematics and science, and leadership.