This year, Meridian welcomed Mrs. Andie Hanna, who teaches Lang & Lit 11 HL and Lang & Lit 10 Honors. While she is a new face for many Meridian students and faculty members, she originally taught at FCCPS from 2012 to 2014 as an English teacher. She also worked as a long term substitute for 8th grade French.
These jobs were only a fraction of her extensive teaching career, which began after graduating from Cedarville University where she earned a degree in English and Education.
Mrs. Hanna didn’t always want to be a teacher. In high school she wanted to be a physical therapist. She studied that subject for her first year of college, when she discovered she didn’t enjoy it. Remembering her high school English teacher’s advice to become a teacher, she switched her major to English and Education. She credits that teacher for inspiring her to make that change, leading her to where she is now.
Mrs. Hanna’s first job in education was as a substitute for six months, and her first teaching position was at Vienna Christian School in Austria. She grew up internationally, and was delighted to continue living outside of the U.S because of her husband’s job.
Teaching internationally allowed her to learn about school systems in different countries, which Mrs. Hanna described as a “great experience.” While she recognized differences among international schools, she also noted that her students were similar no matter her place in the world.
“Kids are kids no matter where you are in the world,” she noted.
Her favorite country to teach in was Turkmenistan, because of the small class sizes and the close connections she formed with students.
“The small class sizes allow for better discussion,” she elaborated.
In 2024 she moved back to the DC area. For the 24-25 school year, she taught 8th grade at Fairfax County schools. Her favorite class discussions are when she can incorporate issues that help her students grow as individuals.
“Literature is a really great way to get you thinking about the world and yourself,” she said.
Mrs. Hanna hopes that students can develop an appreciation for literature and take it beyond the classroom.
“An appreciation for reading that lasts throughout their life as they learn to question things that are happening and what they see.”
