Megan McDonoughFor me, a career in education was not a choice but rather my calling having been raised by an elementary school teacher and a college professor. I began my journey as a Middle and High School educator during my undergraduate studies at Clark University.
Now in my 27th year as an educator, I have spent the majority of my career in school leadership. Before stepping into my role at Harwood Union, I spent three years as the Principal of Edmunds Middle School in Burlington, VT. Prior to that, I spent 14 foundational years at the Match Public Charter School in Boston, where I began as a history teacher and ultimately served as Principal and Chief Academic Operator.
In 2015, drawn by the encouragement of my brother who also lives in the area, my family and I relocated to the Mad River Valley. It proved to be a transformative move. Listening to my brother’s advice brought incredible gifts: I met my husband, built a home in nature’s playground, and joined a community of dedicated colleagues who deeply value both tradition and innovation in education.
The 26/27 school year marks my 7th year at Harwood Union, I feel profoundly grateful to lead within my own community—a privilege made even more special by the unique opportunity to serve as Principal to my own four children.
Jessica DeaneWhen I was a Mount Mansfield Union High School student back in the 90’s, I could not wait to graduate and leave Vermont. The twists and turns throughout my 21-year career in education have been about coming home, to the state that I could not bear to be away from for long, and to the mountains and valleys that I love. Now entering my 14th year at Harwood, using the skills and expertise I have grown through my career in service to my community is exactly where I want to be.
With a bachelor's degree in Chemistry from the University of Rochester, my teaching career began in Brooklyn, New York as a high school science teacher, and continued as I migrated back to my home state to teach at Lamoille Union High School. This transition illuminated for me the great differences between urban New York and rural Vermont education, and also the endearing, universal truths of adolescence and what young people need to find their way in the world. In coming to Harwood in 2013 first as a Science Teacher, then as the Teaching and Learning Coordinator, and now as the Assistant Principal, I now have the great privilege of living, working, and parenting in our community (a privilege shared by so many other dedicated staff at Harwood). My husband, George, is also an educator, and our two daughters are making their way through Brookside and Crossett Brook, and will be at Harwood in what I’m sure will feel like the blink of an eye.
Formed by my own experiences as a student and as a volunteer counselor for Camp Daybreak, my passion in education is for ensuring that all students are both supported and challenged to learn deeply and dream big about their next steps after Harwood.