Bixby Middle School Teacher of the Year: Mrs. Fuller
This year, in her 7th year of teaching, with her passion for both teaching and literature, 8th grade ELA teacher Mrs. Meredith Fuller was named Bixby Middle School’s Teacher of the Year! Mrs. Fuller prefers coffee over tea, summer over winter, and dogs over cats.
Mrs. Fuller was led to teaching after being in the healthcare field for 10 years. After receiving her certification, she began teaching middle school English. Mrs. Fuller always thought she would teach high school English, but fell in love with middle school. She has many unforgettable memories from her time as a teacher.
One involves a breakthrough with a student over a game of catch with a squishy ball. Mrs. Fuller says that this student was “used to teachers giving up on [them],” and tried to get her to hate them in the first week of class. So, Mrs. Fuller reached out to their parents to take steps toward resolving the issue, and eventually broke through to them with a squishy ball. As they tossed it back and forth, they talked about life. The student confessed their aspirations and that they don’t feel smart. Mrs. Fuller says that after making this connection, they were “just my little shadow.” Their grades drastically improved, they began apologizing to teachers, and they stopped getting suspended. Mrs. Fuller stays in touch with the student’s mom, and while not at BPS anymore, they are doing great.
Mrs. Fuller’s inspiration as a teacher is “the kiddos,” though she notes that when she was younger it might have been Shakespeare. She loves to take student culture and "infuse it in things [they’re] doing.” She hopes that years from now, students not only remember that she was a “super nerd,” but that she “loved them.”
Through her years as a teacher, Mrs. Fuller has learned that she doesn’t know everything, and that “it’s ok to be wrong.” She has also learned that “you have to be humble,” as well as the art of flexibility.
Mrs. Fuller’s kindness, passion for teaching, and meaningful intent are truly inspiring. If you ever get the opportunity to step into her classroom, be sure to “find a seat that makes you happy.” Congratulations Mrs. Fuller!