Megan Ford, a 7th grade math and science teacher at Flat Rock Middle School, was named Henderson County Public Schools’ 2019 Teacher of the Year on Friday at the Teacher of the Year luncheon sponsored by AdventHealth at the Hendersonville Country Club.
Ford has spent all nine years of her teaching career at Flat Rock Middle, where she once walked the halls as a student. Ever an Eagle, Ford said, “I decided to teach to be a part of the community that made me who I am.”
“She’s a phenomenal teacher,” said Assistant Principal Bruce Gilliam. “Kids are just pulled in by her enthusiasm (and) love math when they’re in her classroom.”
“Not only is Megan a great teacher, she adds value to the school outside the classroom,” said HCPS Chief Human Resources Officer W. Scott Rhodes, who remembers hiring Ford nine years ago when he was principal at Flat Rock.
Whether it’s keeping the scorebook for athletic events, managing concession stands, helping coach the dance team, or organizing class trips, Ford is there lending a hand – and often leading the effort. Gilliam said Ford leads her Professional Learning Community, has served on the School Improvement Team, and spent last summer spearheading a project to freshen up student bathrooms with fresh paint and inspiring quotes. This summer, she’s tackling the teacher workrooms with her peers.
“It doesn’t matter what the need is,” Rhodes said. “She has been one to step up and help lead.”
“I want to be the constant in these kids’ lives because for some of them, I am the only consistent adult they see on a daily basis,” Ford said. “My job as a teacher, first and foremost, is to teach them to be good human beings – but I have to model that first.”
Like all 23 nominees from each elementary, middle and high school, Ford was nominated by her peers for the designation of her school’s Teacher of the Year. Following extensive interviews with a selection committee comprised of an administrator, parent, board member and the previous teacher of the year, Ford was selected to represent Henderson County Public Schools as its 2019 Teacher of the Year.
In addition to a Teacher of the Year plaque and $1,000 from AdventHealth, Ford received an all-expense paid trip to a state education conference and a Teacher of the Year class ring by Jostens. Following Friday’s reception at the country club, Ford returned to Flat Rock Middle, where she was welcomed by East Henderson High’s drumline, serenaded by Flat Rock Middle’s chorus, and surprised by her family, students, and fellow teachers with flowers and handmade posters.
