Teacher of the Month-Megan Murphy
Summer break is coming to an end, and we’re finishing the year off with another local teacher you nominated! Our Teacher of the Month for August is Megan Murphy, a theater and acting teacher at Queen Anne’s County High School. We had the chance to talk to Megan about what drew her to teach theater, goals for the upcoming school year and more!
What is your background? Why did you become a teacher?
I am a Queen Anne's County kid, born and raised. I went from Centreville Elementary School all the way through Queen Anne's County High School. I went to Chesapeake College and graduated from Salisbury University in 2019. Before becoming a teacher, I was a theatre professional working with Pioneer Summer Theatre in Marietta, Ohio at Kings Dominion in the entertainment department and then at Eau Claire Children's Theater in Wisconsin, which really opened my eyes to the joy of working with children in the theatre space.
Due to Covid, I moved back to the shore in 2020. In 2021, former QACHS Academic Dean Tracy Kenna contacted me about returning to my Alma Mater as a long-term substitute for the theatre classes. By the end of that school year, I knew there was no better privilege than giving back my time and energy to the school that instilled my love of theatre in me.
What drew you to theater?
I have always loved the performing arts. I remember being a student at Kennard Elementary and seeing a production of Annie that was put on by Centreville Middle School and being amazed. From then on, my grandmother would take me to countless community theatre shows. I just fell in love with all of it: the joy, music, dancing, and magical little bubble created when watching a live performance where every other part of your life melts away and all that matters is what's on that stage. I joined the school choir in 6th grade and loved it, and I ended up singing my way through middle school and continued when I got to high school, where a friend and classmate encouraged me to audition for the fall play with him, and I did. I got an itty-bitty 10-second role with no lines, but I fell in love with the theatre space, came to rehearsals where I wasn't needed to help build the set, and learned how to use power tools and design. The older students welcomed me with open arms and kindness, and I never looked back. I did every show at the high school during my time there, and my passion grew. I did theatre in college, and it expanded my mind to what theatre is and what it can be.
What is an aspect of teaching you find rewarding?
I know it's cliche, but working with the students and building a community that supports and lifts them up. I've only been at QA for 3 years, but in that time, I've seen such fantastic growth in so many students, not just as performers but in their belief in themselves. I'll work with these students sometimes for 3 hours a day in the classroom and then work with them after school in rehearsal for another 2, and it's been a privilege getting to know each and every one of them and watching as they become incredible young people.
Did you have a teacher growing up who left an impact on you?
Oh gosh, there are too many to name, many of whom still work for the county. One of the main ones that comes to mind is Mr. Justin Crew, my 5th-grade teacher; he is the perfect example of how one teacher can completely change your life. I entered his class as a lower middle-of-the-pack student and particularly struggled very hard in math. Mr. Crew stayed after school and tutored me. By the end of the school year, I received the highest marks on the math MSA of any student in my class, all because Mr. Crew took the time to care for and help his students. (In case you were wondering, he still supports them and has come to see many of the high school productions since my time as the director.)
There are probably about 20 other teachers I could name: Mrs. Amy Taylor, who taught me 6th grade English, was my yearbook advisor and my mentor my first year as a teacher; Mr. Chris Tolson, my 8th-grade homeroom and science teacher, who made learning so incredibly fun; Miss Michelle Emond and Mrs. Heather Zerbe, who I had freshman year of high school who made a new scary world seem not so foreign; Miss Eamond and Mrs. Jenn Geoffrey were my class advisors who helped make high school fun. But especially Kelsy Long and Justin Callahan, my theatre teachers at Queen Anne's, through their love of theatre, have allowed me to foster a new generation of Queen Anne's students' love of theatre.
Did you do anything fun over summer break?
I spent time over the summer working on classes for my accreditation, so you could say the teacher went to school for the summer, but it was gratifying seeing the tools I use in the classroom and how they work. I volunteered at Church Hill Theatre, working on the set for their two children's summer camp shows. I love to garden, so I'm currently in the middle of a tomato takeover in my backyard. I just spent some time reading, relaxing, and playing with my three dogs while preparing for next year.
Do you have any goals for this upcoming school year?
I am incredibly excited about what this upcoming year holds; this year's seniors hold a special place in my heart because their freshman year was my first year as a teacher, and I feel like we have grown so much in our time together. On top of that, we have an incredibly exciting new class that I will be teaching about musical theatre. Over the semester the students will learn, rehearse, and put on a musical on top of our traditional 2-show season, which starts this fall with an incredible opportunity. Queen Anne's will be the first high school to ever put on a production of Kate Hamill's Emma. Based on the Austen novel of the same name, it's an incredible opportunity, and I cannot wait to hit the ground running with the students this fall!
If you know a teacher who makes a difference in our community you can nominate them to be our Teacher of the Month at shoreupdate.com/teachers.