Hello!
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My name is Meghan Hesterman (she/her), but in the classroom I go by Profe Hesterman, Miss Hesterman, or Teacher Meghan. I identify as straight, cisgender, white, able-bodied, and neurotypical.
I am anti-bias, anti-racist, and aspiring educator who recently graduated from college! I created the blog in 2019 as a student at the University of Minnesota Duluth (UMD), where I studied early childhood education, special education, and Spanish. During the 2024-2025 school year, I gained valuable experience as a part-time substitute teacher in Duluth, Minnesota and as a Fulbright grantee to Uruguay working as an English Teaching Assistant and cultural ambassador! During the 2025-2026 school year, I will be working as a third-grade teacher in a Spanish dual language school in Roseville, Minnesota! I am excited to engage in a bilingual community of students and staff. Journal of an Evolving Teacher is a platform for folks who want to educate themselves on the realities and challenges of teaching; engage in anti-racist practices; travel the world to expand their global perspectives; and connect with a fellow twenty-something navigating adulthood. Thanks for joining in the chaos! |
Photo by Magill Photography
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A little about me
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I first dreamt of becoming a teacher in elementary school. I looked up to my elementary school teachers as leaders, teachers, and people, and I hope that I could be that model for other children.
I began working in an educational setting in the summer of 2016 as an assistant camp counselor at the Minnesota Zoo. My years volunteering as a "ZooTeen" made me aware of my dedication to working with young children. Before college, I worked in a variety of preschool settings (general and special education) as a paraprofessional. This job provided me with an authentic, hands-on glimpse into a career in education.
During my undergraduate program, I completed field experience in a toddler, integrated preschool, and special education settings. Outside of the classroom, I created the blog and its social media platforms, studied abroad in Spain and Croatia, and served in a variety of organizational leadership positions. I am also a lifelong member of UMD's Antiracist Literacy Advisory Board (A-LAB).
I changed so much in college, but I still remain the same childishly optimistic overachiever and dreamer. I aspire to spread my wings to other countries and continents as a teacher or simply a curious explorer. So far, I have traveled to 16 countries, and I hope to visit more of South America and Africa.
I adore cozy mystery novels, cheesy 90s Meg Ryan romcoms, nature walks near Lake Superior, coffee with oat milk, any kind of pastry (especially chocolate), and deep conversations with friends and family. I am a plant mom and huge fan of Gilmore Girls and Taylor Swift.
I hope my experiences will help you understand the importance of education and the urgent need for change in our current education system.
To learn more about me and my experiences, click the button below to explore my other publications.
I began working in an educational setting in the summer of 2016 as an assistant camp counselor at the Minnesota Zoo. My years volunteering as a "ZooTeen" made me aware of my dedication to working with young children. Before college, I worked in a variety of preschool settings (general and special education) as a paraprofessional. This job provided me with an authentic, hands-on glimpse into a career in education.
During my undergraduate program, I completed field experience in a toddler, integrated preschool, and special education settings. Outside of the classroom, I created the blog and its social media platforms, studied abroad in Spain and Croatia, and served in a variety of organizational leadership positions. I am also a lifelong member of UMD's Antiracist Literacy Advisory Board (A-LAB).
I changed so much in college, but I still remain the same childishly optimistic overachiever and dreamer. I aspire to spread my wings to other countries and continents as a teacher or simply a curious explorer. So far, I have traveled to 16 countries, and I hope to visit more of South America and Africa.
I adore cozy mystery novels, cheesy 90s Meg Ryan romcoms, nature walks near Lake Superior, coffee with oat milk, any kind of pastry (especially chocolate), and deep conversations with friends and family. I am a plant mom and huge fan of Gilmore Girls and Taylor Swift.
I hope my experiences will help you understand the importance of education and the urgent need for change in our current education system.
To learn more about me and my experiences, click the button below to explore my other publications.
About the blog
This blog is a platform of advocacy, acceptance, and inclusion.
More specifically, this blog is a platform I am using to share content on important educational issues and topics and my journey in becoming a teacher.
Why did you choose education as the topic for your blog?
Education affects all of us. It shapes our personality, career path, interests, intelligence, and our success. Education is a human right, so we should have the right to learn about topics related to education. These could include. . .
By shedding light on these topics, I hope to spread awareness and call legislators, administrators, teachers, and the public to action. Education is often shoved under the rug in the political arena, but our education predicts our success in later life. The more we know, the more power we have, and the more we can change.
To learn more about this blog, read the "Intro to my Blog" post.
Why am I sharing my experiences?
It is important for the public to know what it takes to become a teacher because like doctors, lawyers, surgeons, or other necessary professions, teachers are essential for society to function and to be successful. Also, teaching is hard work, and it takes years of education, certification, training, and practice to be a successful teacher. So, I will be sharing my unique journey with all of you to show one path to a career in education.
How can you get in touch with me?
I am available through social media, email, and contact form. To receive a quick response, please fill out a contact form or contact me via email. I am also available for messaging on Facebook or Instagram. I have provided links to the contact form and Journal of an Evolving Teacher's social media platforms below.
More specifically, this blog is a platform I am using to share content on important educational issues and topics and my journey in becoming a teacher.
Why did you choose education as the topic for your blog?
Education affects all of us. It shapes our personality, career path, interests, intelligence, and our success. Education is a human right, so we should have the right to learn about topics related to education. These could include. . .
- Child development
- Teacher and teacher candidate mental health
- How schools can support children
- The realities and issues of the U.S. school system
- And many more!
By shedding light on these topics, I hope to spread awareness and call legislators, administrators, teachers, and the public to action. Education is often shoved under the rug in the political arena, but our education predicts our success in later life. The more we know, the more power we have, and the more we can change.
To learn more about this blog, read the "Intro to my Blog" post.
Why am I sharing my experiences?
It is important for the public to know what it takes to become a teacher because like doctors, lawyers, surgeons, or other necessary professions, teachers are essential for society to function and to be successful. Also, teaching is hard work, and it takes years of education, certification, training, and practice to be a successful teacher. So, I will be sharing my unique journey with all of you to show one path to a career in education.
How can you get in touch with me?
I am available through social media, email, and contact form. To receive a quick response, please fill out a contact form or contact me via email. I am also available for messaging on Facebook or Instagram. I have provided links to the contact form and Journal of an Evolving Teacher's social media platforms below.