Niwot High School Teacher Profile: Megan Schlagel

Niwot High School and its students would not flourish without the teachers that devote themselves to their students.

Among these teachers, Megan Schlagel, a math teacher and math department chair, nourishes students' love for math from her classroom at NHS. A graduate of Longmont High School, Schlagel has been teaching for the past 15 years. For the past 12 years she has worked at Niwot High School, where she has spent eight years as the chair of the mathematics department. She teaches Algebra 1, AP Calculus AB, and AP Calculus BC.

Students recall how Schlagel changed their perspective on mathematics, a commonly dreaded core class. Schlagel makes difficult concepts easy to understand, they report. Her lectures are fun and engaging, and she invites students to engage in practice problems and group work to allow them to build their skills. She commonly says, "Don't math alone," encouraging students to collaborate, especially when they face struggles in solving difficult math problems.

Many advanced students who take both AP Calculus AB and BC in high school have the pleasure of learning with Schlagel for two years. In the eyes of students, she is not only a teacher, but also someone to look up to. Her passion for math and teaching, as expressed by her lively and compassionate attitude in the classroom, inspires students to have the same love for what they do in their own educational and career journeys.

Students also feel truly cared for by Schlagel. For AP Calculus exams, she takes time out of her day to make goodie-bags for each student, uplifting them during a time they feel most stressed. Her commitment to ensuring each student feels calm and confident in their math skills is remarkable.

In addition to teaching mathematics, Schlagel also coordinates Link Crew, a mentorship program in North America in which select juniors and seniors lead freshmen during their orientation day in order to help them adjust and to help make the transition from middle school to high school easier. Schlagel encourages juniors and seniors to play a more active role in their school by connecting them to the freshmen who need their support, unifying the NHS community.

Schlagel's dedication to her students and her subject has not gone unnoticed. She has received numerous awards, including the prestigious Teacher of the Year award at NHS for the 2023-24 school year as well as in 2020. However, for her, she says the greatest reward is the success and growth of her students.

Looking to the future, Schlagel hopes to continue inspiring a love for mathematics and a belief in the potential within every student. Through her passion and unwavering support for each individual student, she not only teaches math but also shapes futures, proving that with the right guidance, anyone can unlock their mathematics potential.