While growing up, Meghan “Meg” Calhoun played a variety of sports, including volleyball. So, it was no surprise that Meg, a member of the Keuka College Class of 2018, wanted to continue her athletic lifestyle when she enrolled in the College.
“I first heard of Keuka College from a friend I used to play volleyball with in Canada,” says Meg, who graduated from Paris District High School in Paris, Ontario, Canada. “She was a student at the College, and before I knew it, I was making plans to come see the campus. After making the trip down to Keuka Park, seeing the campus and everything Keuka College had to offer, I was sold.”
A four-year member of the women’s volleyball team, Meg was an outside hitter for the Wolves. Now, she has turned her love of sports into a career.
Shortly after graduation, Meg was named the adaptive sports coordinator for a firm called WindReach in Warwick, Bermuda. WindReach offers a variety of therapeutic and educational experiences, including adaptive sports, for people with varying physical and intellectual abilities.
“I actually didn’t hear about WindReach until my very last semester of school, when all upcoming graduates are in the normal panic of what they’re going to do after they graduate!” says Meg, who claims dual citizenship in Bermuda and Canada. “My mom works for Bermuda Hospital Charitable Trust, and she gave me the contact with WindReach. After looking at their mission, I couldn’t resist.”
Adaptive sports are recreational and competitive sports for individuals with special needs. In most adaptive sports, modifications are made to the equipment or the rules, but the activities are just as challenging and therapeutic. WindReach’s Adaptive Sports Program offers games such as archery, cricket, mini golf, board games, and more.
“My job varies every day, and the best part is seeing each participant achieve their goals one step at a time,” says Meg. “An aspect of my job that I really enjoy is that I am able to be flexible with what I do. This job has exposed me to so many opportunities and different environments, and I am so thankful to be part of WindReach.”
Although adaptive sports are not part of the Keuka College curriculum, Meg says her educational studies major did, in fact, help prepare her for this role.
“My major taught me how to look at a student’s goals and build a curriculum,” says Meg, “or in my case, a series of activities that will help each individual reach their goals. One of the classes that really helped me, and what I was able to experience with Field Period®, was learning about at-risk students.”
Meg says her classes and Field Period® opportunities put her in positions where she was able to not only teach, but learn from the students as well, which led to building meaningful relationships.
And she credits the College’s education professors, particularly Dr. Alice Harnischfeger, associate professor of education, for helping her get to where she is today.
“Meghan made a contribution at Keuka College by teaching many of us about both of her home countries,” says Dr. Harnischfeger. “She especially did this in an Independent Studies course she took with me where she examined and compared parts of the educational systems of the U.S., Canada, and Bermuda. I believe that she positively added to the diversity of Keuka College.”
Other professors Meg says had an impact on her include Dr. Peter Kozik, associate professor of education; Dr. Klaudia Lorinczova, chair of the Division Educational Studies and associate professor of educational studies; and Dr. Andy Beigel, professor of education.
“All of these professors taught me so much in their courses, including valuable lessons showing just how meaningful relationships are between students and teachers, and the impact it can have on learning,” says Meg. “They also opened up my views on education, and all abilities of learning. That is something I strive to do every day at my job with all of my students.”
And Meg says she is grateful to have found her job at WindReach right out of college.
“I wouldn’t be where I am today without my Keuka College family,” Meg says.
