Joining a school community halfway through the year is not easy, especially when stepping in for a teacher on maternity leave. Ms. Meyrick did just that, arriving at Stuart and quickly adjusting to an already established classroom environment. In just a short time, she has started building connections with students and becoming part of the community.
When asked why she chose Stuart, Ms. Meyrick pointed to the students themselves. “Students here care about education,” she said. “They pay attention.” That level of engagement, she explained, makes teaching more meaningful and allows for stronger class discussions.
At the same time, teaching comes with challenges that are not always visible. For Ms. Meyrick, one of the hardest parts is “having hard conversations,” especially when it comes to discussing grades or giving what could be considered a bad grade. She explained that because she cares about her students’ feelings, these moments can be difficult. Still, she believes they are necessary and help prepare students for the real world.
Despite these challenges, her favourite part of teaching is simple. “The students,” she said. She values building relationships and enjoys “learning how they learn and discuss.” Through this, reading becomes more engaging and collaborative, something she genuinely enjoys. As she put it, “Reading is fun.”
Outside the classroom, Ms. Meyrick has begun exploring the area and finding places she enjoys. One of her favourite discoveries so far is Rojo’s Roastery. When describing her ideal day, she emphasized balance. She would “wake up early enough to get all work done,” then spend the rest of the day going out to breakfast, being outside, watching a movie, thrifting, visiting a bookstore, and “do something new.”
Ms. Meyrick also shared something she wishes more students understood about her. “I’m not mean or scary or a harsh grader,” she said. She also emphasized that she genuinely likes the books she teaches and believes there is “value in every single book.” Even when a text is written by someone controversial, she explained that students can still learn from it, whether that means understanding what not to believe or what not to do. She added that sometimes you do not fully realize what you learned from a book until you revisit it years later.
In her free time, Ms. Meyrick enjoys reading thrillers, describing them as “something that makes you think.” This connects to her views on writing as well. She wishes students “cared more about writing,” not just as an assignment but as a broader skill. Writing, she explained, is about forming arguments and clear reasoning, but it can also take many forms, including journaling, playwriting, and blogging.
If she were not a teacher, Ms. Meyrick said she would likely be a museum curator. With both her mother and sister working as archaeologists, she has always been interested in history. Although she once considered early childhood education, she ultimately found her way into a different type of teaching. As she put it, “Sometimes you just fall into a job and like it and stick with it.”
Ms. Meyrick brings a thoughtful and honest perspective to the classroom. Beyond her role as a teacher, she is someone who values discussion, encourages growth, and helps students see the importance of what they are learning both inside and outside of school.
