Q&A: Ms. McDermott

by Sophia Velez
I'm sure many of you have seen Ms. Megan McDermott in the halls either walking to class or pushing around a cart full of books. Some may have mistaken her for a student which is not surprising since she was once a student here at Nottingham High School. Recently graduated from college, she decided to become a history teacher and is now teaching World History. We decided to ask her a few questions about how it's like teaching in the same school she attended and here are her answers:
What’s your method of teaching that allows students to fully learn a lesson?
This can be different depending on the lesson and the students that I am teaching. I have to ask myself many questions along the way, but mainly I try to think about the big picture - what do I want students to know at the end of this lesson, or even bigger, at the end of this unit. From there I try to make the content as relatable as it can. 

Is there something about the school that you would like to change and if so what? 
I would like to see more funding in the places that seem to get left behind. It's nice to see updates to the school building slowly taking place, but I still think that programs like the arts need some of that same attention. 

How do you check a student's understanding of a lesson without the use of standard tests?
It definitely depends on the lesson, but on the typical day it's through class discussions. I also like to find ways for students to show that they've learned something while showcasing the creativity and skills that they have acquired outside of the classroom through multimedia projects. I have enjoyed seeing all of the different ways that students approach those projects over the last few years. 

How do you plan lessons that are engaging for the class?
The first step in planning a lesson is always the same- asking myself what do I want the students to be able to do by the end? I like to approach teaching certain topics like I'm telling them a story - what would a story teller say to engage the audience? What will get the students to question history? Along the way I'll include personal point of views, videos, etc. while also teaching practical skills.  

Has anything in the school changed since you were a student here?
Many things about the school have changed while a lot has stayed the same. One of the best parts of going to school at Nottingham was the fact that it always felt like a community that was cheering each other on- whether at games, or through spirit days, or from the help of the staff. I think that that is what makes this school special.