Meg Leddy: Dean’s Award

Meg Leddy of Ellsworth, Maine is the 2025 recipient of the Dean’s Award from the University of Maine College of Education and Human Development. This award recognizes a student who has overcome significant challenges along the path to graduation, who is dedicated to their field and shows perseverance and commitment to their program. The road to success is often not clear, or easy, but students who are recognized with the Dean’s Award find a way to do what is needed and rise to the challenge. Leddy is originally from Swansboro, North Carolina and had recently moved to Maine when she found her calling as a teacher. She graduates with a degree in Elementary Education and a concentration in Special Education.

Why did you choose to come to UMaine?

When the global COVID-19 pandemic abruptly ended my career as a professional stage manager for live theater, I felt adrift. My husband and I had just settled in Ellsworth before the pandemic hit, and I found myself substitute teaching at a local elementary school, hoping it would be a temporary stop until live events returned. Within five minutes of subbing, a student colored his entire hands green with a marker. Leaving tiny green fingerprints all over the classroom, he giggled with glee as I sent him to scrub his hands in the bathroom. At the end of the day I was utterly exhausted — and unexpectedly in love with education. By the time I was working with a group of brilliant, curious eighth graders, I knew I had found my calling, and it set me on a completely new path in life.

I began my educational journey at Eastern Maine Community College, earning an associate’s degree in education, before transferring to UMaine. I was nervous while waiting for my acceptance, but I knew UMaine would be the perfect fit for me. From the start, Faith Erhardt made me feel welcome in the College of Education and Human Development. She understood that I was an older student working full-time as an educational technician and helped me achieve my goal of graduating in just two years. Throughout my time at UMaine, I’ve felt supported in my classes, and even at 40, my classmates have been incredibly welcoming.

Have you collaborated with a mentor, professor or role model who made your time at UMaine better, and if so, who are they and how have they impacted your time at UMaine?

Several professors at UMaine have had a significant impact on my education. William Dee Nichols has been a constant source of support, instilling in me the confidence to pursue my Master’s degree next year. Dee not only guides us in teaching literacy but also encourages us to become passionate educators as we leave the program. I was also deeply inspired by Debrajean Scheibel and her Special Education Law class. Her course truly prepared me for teaching special education, challenging me to think like a special educator and pushing me to excel academically.

Favorite UMaine memory:

My favorite UMaine memory is Literacy Night in Dee Nichols’ ERL 320 class. My group and I ran the Readers’ Theater of the book “There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed Some Leaves.” All the students who participated were fully engaged and performed their roles beautifully! We had readers of all levels, and each brought something special to the performance. One young man eagerly took on the role of Narrator 1, which had the most lines. At first, he struggled with words like “swallowed,” “perhaps,” and “sneeze,” but by the end of the activity, he was confidently delivering his lines without hesitation, especially hitting the phrase “PERHAPS SHE’LL SNEEZE” with enthusiasm. At one point, he even stopped the group to correct his mother and grandmother’s line delivery. I playfully called him our director, and we tried again. He was absolutely thrilled to be called the director, leaving the room with a huge smile. Later, I overheard him in the parking lot telling his mom, “I was the BEST director!”

Another student enjoyed performing so much, he even stayed afterward to deliver a weather report for us. He proudly used the term “Cirrostratus clouds” and then explained what they were. His enthusiasm left me feeling incredibly proud of how the event had gone.

What’s on the horizon? What are your plans for after you graduate? 

I’ve begun applying for special education positions within my district and am excited about the opportunity to teach students with disabilities. Additionally, I’ll be continuing my education at UMaine, starting graduate school this summer. Most importantly, I am eager to advocate for students with disabilities, helping them believe in themselves and empowering them to become lifelong learners.

Special thank you message:

My husband has been by my side every step of the way! All the late nights spent at the dining table with my headphones on, lost in my work, have led to this moment — graduation. His unwavering flexibility and support have allowed me to focus on my studies and maintain my GPA. I am deeply grateful to my parents, who proudly display their “UMaine Mom” and “UMaine Dad” bumper stickers, even though I left the nest long ago. My sister, who went back to school first, inspired me to be brave enough to do the same. A heartfelt thank you to my mother-in-law, Mary, whose encouragement has been irreplaceable. I also want to thank the educators who have mentored, supported, and guided me along the way. Lastly, my deepest gratitude goes to the Mount Desert Island school system for taking a chance on someone without an educational background and for their unwavering flexibility and support as I embarked on my journey to become a teacher.