My name is Megan McCormick. I am 31 years old and the youngest of six siblings. When my parents told me I had Down syndrome, I didn’t know what it was, but I knew then that I was going to work harder to achieve my goals in life. My parents and siblings never treated me like I had a disability, and they expected a lot from me. I am grateful for the support I received not only from my family, but also from my teachers and coaches who raised the bar for my ambitions, supported me and helped me achieve my dreams throughout my journey.
As a child, I attended public schools in Lexington, where I joined regular classes and graduated with my classmates. I took courses at a technical school, and upon graduating from high school, I enrolled in the Governor’s Scholar Program. In the fall of 2007, I joined Bluegrass Community Technical College, where I eventually chose to major education.
I enjoyed working with children during the internship, especially primary school children. Thanks to the support I received from my teachers and classmates, I graduated in 2013 with the degree of Teaching Assistant in Education. The teaching assistant job in Lexington was very competitive at the time, so I decided to go back to school in pursuit of a 4-year college degree. I started attending courses at the University of Kentucky (UK) in the fall of 2014, while continuing to work part-time on after-school programs and as a Deputy Teaching Assistant. My family was very supportive of me, and helped me find academic instructors to attend classes with me to make sure I was on the right track in the course. I am proud to share with you that in May 2019 I graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor’s degree in Liberal Studies, my graduation was a huge achievement!
Work is important to me because it gives me the opportunity to help children the same way my teachers have helped me. I am pleasured to work in an elementary school whose principal is committed to achieving inclusion and is determined to prove my success; And it’s the same elementary school I attended when I started my education journey in Lexington!

But I have other dreams, too. I was determined to get my driver’s license so I could drive to work. I continue to participate in Special Olympics, competitive swimming and work as an advocate for health and wellness programs and the inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities. I want to be an active member of my community and have a role in it.