For many teachers, the school day ends when the final bell rings. But for Spanish teacher and coach Ms. Meghan Macaluso, her day is just getting started. From early mornings to late nights, her schedule is filled with teaching, coaching, working out, and spending time with family and friends.
A typical day for Ms. Macaluso begins long before most students are awake. She gets up around 4:45 a.m. and follows a strict schedule. She prepares her lunch which is usually Greek yogurt, with peanut butter and an apple, and takes her two dogs outside before leaving the house. Ms Macaluso will occasionally leave her hair natural and her whole mood brightens when talking about her curly hair routine, “I get my hair soaking wet and I put a lot of gel, scrunch my hair and put a towel in it. After twenty minutes, I diffuse my hair for about twenty minutes and let the rest air dry” she explained, with excitement, especially because her students admire her natural hair. Once she is done getting ready for work, she leaves her house around 6:10 a.m., and is prepared to take on the day.
During the school day Ms. Macaluso teaches multiple Spanish classes at different levels, she always aims to have a safe and open classroom environment. Some days Ms. M teaches three classes, while other days she has a slightly different schedule. No matter the day Ms. M is always focused on helping her students academically, and supporting them. Students are constantly going in and out of her room, which she enjoys these special bonds that her and students make. Hayden Carran, a student at Somerville high school emphasized with such passion, “Ms. Macaluso shows support to her students by not only helping them in school but supporting their other interests as well. She shows up to their soccer and basketball games, and cheers them on from the stands. She always lets students come to her when they need someone to talk to or just to get away from everything. Ms. Macaluso is someone everyone feels comfortable going to and always feels supported by her.” Students in Somerville high school feel the support that Ms. M offers in the SHS community.
Once the final bell rings, her work is far from over. Ms. Macaluso drives to Hanover Park to coach girls high school basketball from 2:45 to 5:30 p.m., and with Spring arriving she coaches her track team as well. To Ms. Macaluso coaching requires a lot of energy and leadership, but she loves watching her athletes grow into young superstars. But that is not everything that Ms Macaluso does. Three days a week, her schedule continues even later with AAU basketball practices from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Balancing teaching and coaching can be exhausting, but Ms. Macaluso stays motivated by her passion for sports and mentoring her students.
Even after these long days, she still finds time for one of her biggest passions, running. She averages about five miles a day. Currently, she is preparing for a half marathon in March. Sundays are specifically reserved for her longest runs which range from ten to fifteen miles. Balancing her work life can make her routine challenging, causing her to go on late night runs. But staying active is an important part of Ms. Macaluso’s lifestyle. On the other hand, on the rare occasions when she is not coaching after school, Ms. Macaluso focuses on everyday responsibilities. “There’s usually one week of the year when I’m free, and take care of my adult responsibilities” During this time, Ms. Macaluso catches up on things like haircuts, dentist appointments, running, cooking, and taking care of her dogs. Although Ms. Macaluso enjoys her job as a teacher and coaching, she always looks forward to having her “Me time”!
Weekends, for Ms. Macaluso are filled with grading assignments, and coaching, but that’s not everything her weekend consists of. Saturdays are filled with basketball games, and soon track meets. However, on Sundays, there is a special tradition that is followed: she goes on a long run with her cousin, who she describes as her best friend, and later her grandparents come over for dinner. Ms. Macaluso enjoys her family time, and enjoys spending time in the kitchen cooking with her dad during their “Sunday Kitchen” traditions.
Through all of Ms. Macaluso’s hard work through the years, one of her biggest inspirations comes from the students that she teaches and coaches. Ms Macaluso adores her students, and she talks highly of them with a smile on her face, “I like to see how kids handle hardships, and I like to be a support for students when I can be” She enjoys being someone who students can turn to when they need it most. She also looks up to French teacher Mrs. Kesseler, emphasizing why Mrs. Kessler is a person she is able to look up to, “She handles things with such grace and is a great model to look at.” Even as an adult, there is still that person Ms. Macaluso always looks up to, and learns from.
Thus, Ms. Macaluso’s days may start before the sunrise and end long after sunset, her energy never fades away. Whether she is in the classroom, on the court, or out on a run, she brings the same amount of passion and dedication with everything she does. For her students and athletes, she is more than just a teacher or coach, but a role model that proves with discipline and an open mind, it is possible to achieve everything you want.
