This week’s Faculty Focus features long time math teacher and experienced cross country coach, Michelle Meadows. While walking the halls, you might first recognize Mrs. Meadows as the teacher able to pull off the classic running shoes with dress duo. No matter the occasion, she is always sporting her favorite hobby: running. Running is such a huge part of Mrs. Meadows’ day. Whether it is getting up at the crack of dawn and putting in a few miles before school, or running after school, Mrs. Meadows is always running! It is said that running makes you happier, and Mrs. Meadows sure lives up to that saying. Her passion for running inspired her to become the boys and girls varsity cross country coach for many years. She has been awarded the conference Coach of the Year many times and lead the girls team to conference runner up two years in a row. Due to medical reasons, Mrs. Meadows was unable to coach the teams this year, but can still be seen cheering them on from the sidelines.

Aside from running and coaching, Mrs. Meadows is perhaps the best known math teacher on campus. If you have ever taken one of her classes, hours of homework each night and notebook checks are her religion. She teaches a variety of math classes from geometry all the way up to AP Calculus. Additionally, she is the go to tutor for the SAT and ACT math sections and even teaches the SAT-Prep class. But, if you ever want to succeed in her classes, remember to put your phone in its correct pocket at the beginning of class and NO GUM!

To learn more about Mrs. Meadows, read this short interview below!

1. What is your favorite class to teach at RMA?

ANY math class is my favorite to teach at RMA.  I particularly enjoy my schedule this year with the variety of levels and content with AP Calculus, Geometry, Algebra and SAT math classes.

2. Name the funniest experience you’ve ever had happen in class.

When I taught in Charlotte, I had some other teacher friends who thought it was funny how squeamish I got when the parts came in for the science dissections and anatomy. They decided to hide various parts in my room.  Imagine my surprise when I opened my desk drawer one day to find a shrink-wrapped animal eye-ball with a note that said “Here’s looking at you!” You could hear them down the hall in unison with my students laughing at my screams!

3. What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

Well, let me think…uh…I’m pretty sure that I enjoy running?!  Particularly going to destination marathons with my family.  My favorite was when we went to run the original marathon course in Athens, Greece.

4. How many marathons have you run in your life?

I have run about 15+ marathons in my life.  The most challenging was when I did the Dopey Challenge earlier this year.  I ran the 5K (3.1 miles) on Thursday, the 10K (6.2 miles) on Friday, the half marathon (13.1 miles) on Saturday, and finally the full marathon (26.2 miles) on Sunday.  Disney really knows how to do it right.  I have also run hundreds of 5k, 8k, 10k, and half-marathons!

5. What are you most proud of accomplishing?

I think that I am probably the most proud of surviving being hit by the Ford F-250 this past summer while I was running… and living to run another day!

6. Where did you attend college?  

I went to Miami University in Oxford, Ohio.

7. Tell us about your family.

I am one of 6 children…4 brothers and one sister.  I am 4th in the lineup.  As you know, I am married and have 4 sons.  Our oldest son is 30 and our youngest, Brian McGrady, is 22 and an RMA alumni.

8. What is your biggest pet peeve?

My biggest pet peeve: bad drivers!!!  I have to drive 65 miles each way to work each day and I get very frustrated with drivers who do not know how to drive properly…particularly when I see them texting while driving 70 mph down the highway!

9. What is your favorite Netflix show?

I don’t watch much tv. Sitting still is a problem for me. I like to go and do. If I do try to sit and watch tv, I usually fall asleep!

10. Can you describe your life before RMA?

Chaotic! My four sons went to 3 different schools.  I usually got up about 5 am to run 6 or 7 miles before anyone else in the house was out of bed.  I would come home, shower, and then get the kids up for school.  After making lunches and dropping them at 3 different schools, I would go to my classroom and teach all day.  They were all very active in different sports: soccer, basketball, baseball, cross country, etc. , so I spent a large part of my out of school time playing chauffeur.  I ran in the Grand Prix racing circuit in Charlotte when it first began and ran races nearly every weekend, ranging from 5ks to marathons in length.  Running was the piece of each day that was my own.