Meghan (King) Stratton is a 6th grade Social Studies teacher at Melvin H. Kreps Middle School. She received her bachelor’s degree from Rutgers University and in 2015 completed her master’s degree in Social Studies and Urban Education at the Rutgers Graduate School of Education while serving as an Urban Teaching Fellow. Her belief in the value of excellent history education and the need for education equity inspires her to be the best possible teacher for all of her students. 

Through passionate, data-driven instruction, Meghan fosters critical thinking skills within a diverse group of learners who in turn become global citizens, ultimately benefiting the larger community. She serves as a teacher mentor, curriculum writer, and professional development facilitator in her school district. Meghan was named the 2019 New Jersey History Teacher of the year by The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History, the nation’s leading organization dedicated to K–12 American history education. She is currently a graduate student in the Rutgers Graduate School of Education Supervisor Endorsement Program. In addition to teaching, Meghan is an adviser the Melvin H. Kreps Drama Program that produces two full productions each year, Artistic Director at Hightstown Theatre in the Park, and a Program Coordinator for Rutgers University during the summer. 

What brought you to Rutgers in the first place? 

I’ve wanted to follow my grandfather’s footsteps and become a teacher since I was 6 years old, and while in high school learned that Rutgers has an excellent program for teacher education in their 5-year masters program at the Graduate School of Education. When I finally toured Rutgers and Douglass College, I knew that it was a place that I could learn and grow in.  

What were some of your most meaningful experiences while a student at Rutgers? 

I had so many incredible experiences at Rutgers! I think that the best thing an undergraduate can do is get involved in student organizations and other activities on campus because it allows you to learn and experience so many things outside of your major, making you much more well-rounded when you graduate. Some of my favorite opportunities I had on campus were being the Producer of Cabaret Theatre, a Leadership Intern with the Office of Leadership & Experiential Learning, an RA on Cook/Douglass, and a Site Leader for Alternative Breaks. All of these experiences inform who I am today as a person and a teacher. Aside from these positions, I also made life-long friendships with people who have become family to me. Rutgers absolutely changed my life for the better and I am grateful for my experiences at the university every day.  

What is your current role? 

I am a Teacher of Social Studies in the East Windsor Regional School District, currently teaching 6th grade United States history. In addition to teaching, I am an advisor/director for our school’s drama program, Artistic Director at Hightstown Theater in the Park, and a Program Coordinator for Rutgers during the summer.  

How do you feel your Rutgers experiences inform your current role? What are some lessons you learned at Rutgers that you use now? 

My experiences at Rutgers inform my current role every day. During my time at Rutgers I figured out who I am and what I value. Rutgers is a great place to identify what you are passionate about, and then find the purpose which you can build your career on. Making a positive impact on students is something that drives me every day as an educator. Rutgers gave me the leadership skills that I lean on professionally and gave me a community of people that support my goals.  

What advice do you have for current students, other young alumni and soon to be graduated students? 

Follow your interests even if they don’t naturally go with your major. You never know how those things will impact you beyond Rutgers! I majored in history and wanted to go into education but have always loved the arts and spent a lot of time in student theater. Today, I’m grateful I stepped outside my major because I met my best friend and husband doing student theater and am also able to work with students beyond the classroom in the arts. If you are graduating now I offer you the advice my mentor gave me at that time, “run your own race”. It’s very easy to compare yourself to everyone else, but ultimately you have to find your next step beyond college on your own time. If you are a young alumni, I encourage you to be open to opportunity and find similarly-minded people who are in your corner. I’m extremely grateful to the community I have that I’ve been able to call to talk things through, or laugh with on a hard day. Also don’t forget to take lots of pictures to remember this time in your life and the people that you meet! 

What do you have planned for the future? How do you like to stay involved with alma mater? 

I’m currently in the Supervisor Endorsement Program at the Rutgers Graduate School of Education. I’ll continue to teach in the classroom for a few more years before moving into a more formal leadership role to expand the amount of students I can positively impact. I’m very lucky to be able to come to work for Rutgers in the summers as well as speak as an alumni at different events at the university. My time at Rutgers was so transformative and integral to who I am today, so it is important for me to give back to current students whenever I can. 

What’s your biggest point of pride as a Scarlet Knight? 

I think that the work that I did with the Office of Leadership & Experiential Learning is my biggest point of pride as a Scarlet Knight. When I first became involved with the office, it was a brand new department and I had the ability to work with incredible people to innovate and create programs from the ground up. I love seeing that the programs I helped to dream up are still making an impact on students and helping them find a home within the university.  

Who do you stay connected with from your days at Rutgers? 

I’m very grateful for the personal community I developed when I was at Rutgers. My sister and I both went to and lived on Douglass, and I love that we were able to share that experience together. I met my husband and my best friends at Cabaret Theatre and the Office of Leadership & Experiential Learning during my experiences as a student leader on campus, where I was also able to find outstanding mentors that have shaped and guided my career. I really owe everything to my time at the university and am so proud to be a Scarlet Knight! 

Check out past Young Alumni Spotlights!

Terrell Barnes SAS ’14