Ms. Menard is living her dream - she’s wanted to be a social studies teacher since she was in 5th grade. She says, “social studies not only teaches us about our past, but it also creates a roadmap from which we can navigate the future, which is proving to be increasingly crucial in today’s interconnected, political, and multicultural world.” She’s an experienced teacher, a former collegiate basketball player, and is a lifelong learner. She especially enjoys civics and American history and also has experience in teaching world history and economics. She’s excited to work with motivated students who are ready to dive into the material and think about history’s significance in the modern world. We’re confident she’ll be a great fit at Rice.

Background:

• Bachelor of Arts in History and Secondary Education from Johnson State College (now called Vermont State University Johnson Campus)
• Master of Education from Southern New Hampshire University
• 2021 James Madison Fellow
• Master of Arts in American History and Government from Ashland University
• Ms. Menard joined Rice in 2024 and has taught middle school social studies for 7 years

Currently Teaches:

World Studies 9, World Studies 10

Get to Know Her:

I enjoy teaching history because: I love learning about the lives, achievements, motivations, and stories of those who came before us. Learning about the past helps us understand how we arrived to the present and helps us make informed decisions for the future. I love learning about the world around us!

I choose to teach at Rice because: I appreciate Rice’s focus on academic excellence and it seems like Rice has built a strong, connected community. Everyone has been so nice and welcoming.

What is your favorite thing about your job? I love teaching because I learn something new everyday! I really enjoy finding new ways for students to engage with history.

If you had an unexpected afternoon off, what would you do with your time? If the weather was nice, I would go for a hike. If not, I would read a book or watch a movie/TV show.

Best vacation/trip you’ve ever been on: One of my favorite vacations was my trip to Spain. I got to do a lot of sightseeing in several different cities, I ate delicious food, and I went paddle boarding for the first time (in the ocean!).

Favorite tradition / field trip / project you do in your classroom each school year: At my previous school, I loved facilitating a multi-week simulation of the three branches of the U.S. government, featuring a mock presidential election, congress, and court trial.

Anything else you’d like to say? I’m a huge basketball fan. I played in college and I love the Boston Celtics! I also love to travel. I’ve visited 17 states and 8 countries.