Celebrations commenced when English teacher Meg Higdon got a teaching position at SLOHS! Photo courtesy of Higdon.
With a fresh new shiny school year in the making, San Luis Obispo High School has gained many new additions to both students and staff. One such is English teacher Meg Higdon, who has taken the new school year in stride with an alacritous vengeance. WOO!
Expressions reached out to Higdon for a quick interview to learn more about her life and her plans for teaching this year.
Expressions: Where did you teach before SLOHS?
English teacher Meg Higdon: Before I started teaching at SLOHS, I lectured at Cal Poly, teaching Writing and Rhetoric. After a few years of being part-time as a lecturer, I decided to make the move to high school [teaching], so I got my teaching credential at Poly and continued lecturing until I was hired at Atascadero High School — which is where I have been teaching for the last three years.
Expressions: What do you like to do in your free time?
Higdon: In my free time I really love to watch movies, which is why I am so excited to be teaching Film Studies! I spent sixteen years working at the Palm Theater, so I am really passionate about film, I could talk about it endlessly so it’s kind of mind blowing that I get to do that as a teacher now. I am also an artist; I draw and paint, and I especially love printmaking — etching specifically. My life goal is to make a graphic novel, but who knows when that will happen. I just recently got really into embroidery, which is kind of like drawing but with string, and obviously as an English teacher I love to read. Reading is my favorite escape from the world, it is the single most effective thing to take me out of myself and the stress of everyday life. Not to be a corny English teacher, but I think reading is kind of magic in that way.
Expressions: How do you like teaching at SLOHS so far?
Higdon: Teaching at SLO has been such a positive experience so far, I can’t say enough about the students. Everyone has been really welcoming, kind, and respectful. So many people have been asking me if I am doing okay, if I need anything. As a new teacher I feel really supported, especially by my department. Having come from another district I just want to say this school and this district have a lot to be proud of, the caliber of students here is really mind blowing.
Expressions: How do you feel about teaching AP Lang with only one week’s notice?
Higdon: Teaching AP Lang with less than a week’s notice has been a really spicy way to start a new school year at a new job, because I am also just trying to get the hang of so many other things like the trimester system and tutorial and where everything is on this massive campus. But I am so excited to be doing it. I have a background in teaching rhetoric, so content wise it is what I most love to teach. I think a deeper and more widespread understanding of rhetoric would literally change the cultural landscape, that’s how much I believe in it. We read so much great stuff in this class! Not having time to luxuriate and plan has left me in permanent survival mode, but it’s totally worth it. My students are so incredible, and very understanding.
Expressions: Anything else you’d like to share for the newspaper?
Higdon: I just feel really fortunate to be here and to have lucked into teaching these amazing classes. For a teacher it really doesn’t get much better than this! I am really excited to get to know everyone and become part of the community. I included a photo of myself the minute I found out I got the job. My friend and I were at a coffee shop when I got the call. I came back after talking to Principal Dickinson and I was just screaming and crying and the other people on the patio were like “ummm what is happening” and I told them “I just got my dream job” and they all clapped and congratulated me, it was a really special moment.
SLOHS and Higdon are already chumming up a storm, and Expressions is excited to see what the year holds for her. Welcome to the community, Meg Higdon!
