Her Story
About Meg
I started my career in design, creating custom swimwear for people who couldn't buy suits off the rack, which taught me the importance of compassion and humanization in my work. After having my first child, I transitioned to education because I loved children and learning, and wanted a creative career that didn't require as much travel. I got my master's degree and taught for 6 years, then became an instructional coach in mathematics for 10 years, working with teachers from Pre-K through 8th grade. I started reviewing curriculum using EdReports and EQIP rubrics, which led me into EdTech in 2016. I felt I could have a big impact on teachers, students, and families through curriculum work. I've designed learning games and led a complete curriculum overhaul focused on usability and helping students see themselves in their materials. Now, as Co-Managing Director at Fish Tank Learning, I oversee writers creating lower-grade mathematics curriculum and am planning a major relaunch that will instill culturally responsive mathematics teaching practices into all our materials. Throughout my career, I've valued humanizing the work, building authentic relationships, and creating space for people to show up as themselves.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Meg
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to being feisty, independent, and what some people have called scrappy. I can do a lot with very little, and I'm very persistent, especially when I believe in something. Education is so very important to me, and ensuring everyone has equity and access to a good education drives me. When something is really important to me, I can be very persistent about it. You're gonna take a knock here and there, but you get back up and try again.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I think the biggest thing that can really make a huge difference, and I did not have this early on, is to find a mentor that you can speak to and get advice from and work through problems, because the problems are gonna happen. Also give yourself grace, because you will make mistakes, and know that you will make them, but try to do better every time. Maya Angelou has a quote that I love: do the best you can with what you know, and when you know better, do better. Remember your humanity - you're human, you're gonna make mistakes, and that is okay. It's how you handle those mistakes that is most important. And how you treat people, that is, to me, the most important thing.
03What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
I have always valued humanizing the work in everything I do. Whether I was designing custom swimwear for people who couldn't buy suits off the rack, or working in education, there's a compassion and humanization that I bring to the table. Interpersonal communication and the relationships I've had through all my different roles are really important to me. As I stepped into a leadership role, understanding the people who are doing the work that I'm leading became crucial, and leaving room for them to show up authentically as themselves is one of my most important values. I also see education as critically important for everyone to have equity and access to a good education. How you treat people is, to me, the most important thing.
Join Influential Women and start making an impact. Register now.