Charlie Meecham, a senior at the University of Vermont (UVM), recalls the challenges she faced in school. “It was really tough socially when I was younger,” she says. Despite these difficulties, one teacher in third grade had a lasting impact on her life.
“Mary Stockard was an amazing teacher,” Charlie remembers. “She was someone outside of my family who really listened to me. I knew she believed in me and all the students. She’s still a huge inspiration for my career in teaching.”
Charlie’s journey to becoming an early childhood educator has been shaped by her experience with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, a genetic connective tissue disorder. This condition affects her mobility, energy, and overall body strength. “I’ve had to work super hard,” she explains, “but it hasn’t stopped me from pursuing my dreams.”
Today, Charlie is on track to reach her goal. As part of UVM’s education program, she is interning as a full-time student teacher in a first-grade classroom at Allen Brook School in Williston. She has also gained experience through practicums at Pine Forest Children’s Center, Burlington Children’s Space, and the Greater Burlington YMCA.
Maria McCormack, Charlie’s mentor teacher at Allen Brook, praises her dedication: “Charlie listens carefully to what her students are saying and thinking. As she takes on more responsibilities in lesson planning, she always considers the unique needs of her students.”
Charlie uses her personal experiences to educate her students about her disability. “They are so curious and ask the best questions,” she says. “It’s a magical thing.”
Charlie’s family moved frequently during her childhood, from England to Rhode Island when she was six, and later to Washington, D.C. at age 12. Although still a U.K. citizen, she recently passed the U.S. citizenship exam.
During her senior year of high school, Charlie began working at a preschool where her mother also worked. “It was during COVID, and things were chaotic,” she recalls. “But it was also during the Brood X cicada emergence. Watching the children and teachers explore the cicadas was incredible. I had never seen anything like it.”
Initially, Charlie planned to study biology in college, but after taking a Child Development class her freshman year, she discovered her true passion. “I thought, this is so cool, so I switched to Early Childhood Education,” she says. “I’ve never regretted it. You can see the learning happen right before your eyes, and the connection with families is so rewarding.”
UVM’s Early Childhood Education program emphasizes hands-on experience, starting from the first year with field placements, service-learning, practicums, and internships. Charlie has greatly benefited from these opportunities and the close-knit community of her peers. “We take many of the same classes together, and it’s comforting to be around people who share the same passion for working with children,” she says.
Charlie’s passion also extends to research. She has worked with Assistant Professor Kaitlin Northey on several research projects, including co-authoring a paper on the Vermont Early Learning Standards (VELS). “Her knowledge and experiences made her a great thought partner,” says Northey.
Looking ahead, Charlie plans to teach in elementary schools after graduation. However, she is also interested in exploring prison education, specifically helping incarcerated parents understand child development. “I took a class on attachment theory, and it was fascinating,” she says. “I want to learn more about how communication affects parents, teachers, and caregivers.”
Her dedication to service extends beyond her academic work. Charlie volunteered to teach yoga and dance classes at a women’s prison, an experience that sparked her interest in this type of work. She has also served as a peer mentor for Student Accessibility Services, helping fellow students navigate accommodations and communicate with professors.
Charlie’s hard work has been recognized throughout her time at UVM. She received the UVM Presidential Scholarship each year, the Joan Greening Student Teaching Award, and the M P McDaniels Scholarship Award as a senior. In her junior year, she earned the APEX Scholarship and the Burack Family Scholarship.
“Charlie is the kind of student who makes everyone excited about learning,” says Northey. “It has been a joy having her as a teaching assistant in my Child Development course.”
For Charlie, teaching young children has always felt like the right path. “It just always feels like the right thing to do,” she says, reflecting on her unwavering sense of purpose in the field of education.
