Troy teacher honored for ‘Giving Joy’

TROY — A Boulan Middle School teacher was singled out for going the extra mile with her students and was rewarded with a five-day cruise.

Megan Luther teaches seventh grade English and runs the yearbook at the middle school. She was nominated by her fellow teacher, Melissa Dodge, after working together for several years.

“Megan has some very special qualities,” said Dodge. “You can teach skills, but you can’t teach passion, and I think it’s important to recognize that; especially in a climate where teachers aren’t always recognized. She’s very humble, and it’s important for teachers to know how much of a difference they are making.”

Luther said she was incredibly surprised by the nomination and was glad to see her efforts at addressing the emotional needs of her students weren’t going unnoticed.

“The whole contest was something I didn’t know about until I was nominated by (Dodge),” Luther explained. “The competition revolves around spreading joy and happiness with your students every day. The idea is to not just educate, but to also make sure each kid enjoys coming in.”

The competition is called “Giving Joy,” and it’s run through Norwegian Cruise Line. One hundred teachers from across the United States were chosen for a five-day trip.

“It was my first cruise ever,” Luther remarked. “We sailed out of Galveston, Texas. We docked in Mexico and had some excursions in Mexico, and then we returned to Texas. Transportation to and from Texas was paid for. It was five days long. We saw some Mayan ruins, so there was some stuff to bring back to the kids. I got to talk to some other teachers from across the nation. I was blown away how all the winners were so very humble and said that all of their fellow staff members deserved to be there.”

The Boulan community was very proud of Luther’s achievement.

“Megan has been the perfect addition to our BPMS staff these past two years,” said Boulan principal Tony Morse. “In just a simple passing conversation with Megan you can witness her passion for students and education. She brings a warmth and energy level that resonates deeply with both our students and staff. She will no doubt be a leader among leaders for years to come.”

Dodge said that she immediately thought of Luther when she heard about the competition.

“I heard about the competition on Facebook and I thought it would be great for Megan. I read up about it and decided to sign her up,” she said. “I think a great teacher is someone who sees the whole child and prepares them for life and not just a test. Megan is definitely that. She cares about their mental health. She is always caring about their mental health and wellness.”

Luther said her key to teaching is trying to address every aspect of her students’ lives and not simply their grades.

“Treating the kids as humans is my first priority every day,” she said. “This means being invested in their lives, asking them how things are going, and taking an interest in their lives. I hope my kids see that.”

She added that such an attitude seems to be more important than ever.

“Taking this kind of interest in students is especially important right now,” Luther said. “Teachers don’t do it for the recognition. When you do get that recognition in rare cases like this, it is very validating. It was enlightening to be with so many other educators who have the same outlook.”