Students at Southwest Elementary already knew how special their teacher is. Now,
the whole country does. She is a finalist in the Readers Digest’s Favorite Teacher
competition (vote: https://americasfavteacher.org/2025/megan-clem)
“When I first went to college, I never thought I would become a teacher. I knew I
wanted to work with kids, but I thought I wanted to do something different so I got into AVA
therapy, which involves working with children on the autism spectrum. I completely fell in
love with it. Later ,I went through a transition to teaching program. This is my fourth year
teaching, but I have worked with kids with disabilities for almost 11 years,” Mrs. Megan
Clem, Southwest teacher, said.
Mrs. Clem was confused about her career at first but found the perfect place.
“The best part about teaching is definitely the students. The love I feel from the
students is the best; it’s the most rewarding part. The relationships I build with my students
are so powerful. I just love how it is a reciprocal relationship,” Mrs. Clem said.
She’s not only a great teacher, but a great person to know.
“She is very nice, and we do a lot of fun games. She makes me feel included in
everything. Also her personality and just everything about her is what makes her my favorite
teacher,” Abby Winters, fourth grader said.
Mrs. Clem is a special education teacher with a close relationship with her students.
“She is kind, very energetic, and she cares when people are upset. She has always
been here for me. I like being in her class because she doesn’t call on the same person
every time. Also, I went to a meeting with her about my 6th grade teacher because she
made me feel better and safe,” Olivia Hurley, fifth grader, said.
For many of her students, Mrs. Clem is a comfort person they rely on.
“When I was little, my dad passed away. She helped me not get upset when people
talked about it and just worked me through everything. She was here for me when I was in a
dark place,” Winters said.
It is clear that teaching is more than a job to her.
“If someone is upset, she always makes sure they are getting what they need. No
one is rude, and she makes sure we all get along and feel included,” Harper Buchanan,
second grader, said.
Like most competitions, there is a reward if she continues on after Top 10.
“This competition started out as someone just telling me to nominate myself for it so I
did. I was really surprised about how many votes I was getting and the traction from it. It is
really crazy to me how I am in the Top 10 right now out of all of America. This competition is
through Reader's Digest, and you can donate money for votes. $1 equals 1 vote, and $10
equals 10 votes. The money that people donate goes to a really good cause. The winner
gets $25,000, a trip to Hawaii, and Bill Nye comes in for an assembly with the kids, which is
so cool. You also get a column in Readers Digest,” Mrs. Clem said.
With this huge win, Greenwood would be represented in a positive way, and many
people from the community would be inspired.
“This competition means everything to me. The fact that I even got chosen is crazy
to me, and it’s great hearing from old students talking about it and even people I haven’t
talked to in a long time talking to me about it. It’s just a very cool experience even being
selected to be in it. It would just be a great honor to win. I would wear so much pride if I won
this, and I just want to represent Greenwood to the best of my ability and make everyone
proud,” Mrs. Clem said.
Currently in the Top 10 of Best Teacher of America, everyone is encouraged to vote
for her in support of her dedication to her career and representation of her community.
“If I win, I would pay off my college debt because I am back in school right now
because I want to become the Director of Special Education. The rest of the money I would
give back to my classroom, give some to my church, and help my parents out,” she said.
