Special Education teacher Mrs. Meekings does a little bit of everything around the school. While she runs the coffee shop, she also wears many other hats around the school including coaching cheer, gymnastics, and working with the Beach Buddies Organization. Meekings was recently “Tagged by the Superintendent”, an award only given to a chosen teacher each semester, for all she does for the school and its students.
Q: What made you decide to specialize in Special Education?
A: “Well, I actually went to Cox High School and was very involved in Beach Buddies. That’s what led me to be in this position as a special education teacher.”
Q: What made you choose to come back to Cox?
A: “I knew the school and a lot of the teachers already. And it’s so cool giving back to a place that’s given you so much.”
Q: What extracurricular activities are you involved in?
A: “Beach Buddies, Coffee Shop, Gymnastics, and Competition Cheer.”
Q: Give us a summary of what happens in your average teaching day?
A: “Every day is different, especially in the Special Education setting; I deal with different behaviors and things of that nature. But, each day, we start off in coffee shop. My kids are the hardest workers you will ever meet. If you ever take a look down there, you will see they are just a well-oiled machine. Then, my kiddos go out to the workforce where they go to different job sites: Food Lion, Moe’s Southwest Grill, Ynot Italian, and Hilton Oceanaire. I go out and visit them on job sites, kind of as an observer, to make sure they’re doing what they’re supposed to do.”
Q: How would you describe your teaching style?
A: “Very kind, with lots of tender love and care. My kids need a lot of patience and love because a lot of people, unfortunately, hear the label “special education” and they push them to the side.”
Q: How is your teaching style different from your coaching style?
A: “It’s very different! With cheer and gymnastics, I give tough love. I hold them accountable and to a higher standard to prepare them for real life.”
Q: What’s most rewarding about your job?
A: “Everything. I just love coming to work every day and that’s something that’s really important because work is like 80 percent of your life. If you don’t love what you’re doing, then what are you doing? I love to see the growth that they make. Them coming in as freshmen and watching them grow into young adults and then become more independent and self-sufficient, I think that’s the best part of all of it. It’s definitely the best part.”
Q: What do you want your students to take away from spending time with you?
A: “I love them, I want them to know they are loved, and important, and that their work is valuable. That they are employable and they can do great things.”
