Get to know the newest Peoria Hometown Hero

For her service to the Peoria Unified community, Coyote Hills Elementary School teacher Megan Cox has been named a Peoria Independent Hometown Hero in the Educator category.

The Hometown Heroes Awards are a celebration of individuals who live, work or teach in the city, and Peoria businesses for their achievements and distinguished contributions to the community and beyond.

Cox will be honored at an awards luncheon this month. The third annual Hometown Heroes luncheon will honor those nominated in 2023.

Get to know more about Cox here.

What I like most about living/working in Peoria: I am a product of the Peoria Unified School District (from kindergarten to 12th grade) and I have been working here my entire teaching career and have loved every minute of it!

Personal background highlights:  I have a wonderful husband and we’ve been married for five years. I am also a dog mom to the cutest Bernedoodle named Nebuchadnezzar.

Professional background highlights:  I received the Pride of Peoria award for my school (Coyote Hills) last year and have been working there for the last eight years.

What do you think you bring to the local community that makes it better?:   Passion and rigor. I push my students to be critical thinkers and to always put their best effort forward. I try to develop young mathematicians but more importantly decent and kind young adults.

What would you tell people about why it’s important to make a difference?:   My motto is “See a need, fill a need.” Again, my hope is that I am teaching my students to not just be problem identifiers but problem solvers inside and outside the classroom.

Changes I’d like to see in this area:  My prayer is that the residents of Peoria would put their trust and hope in Jesus Christ.

My family (what have they taught you):  Hard work, responsibility and a good attitude will take you a long way.

My interests and hobbies:  Being a leader at Restoration Church Peoria in the student ministries and taking dance lessons with my husband.

The trait(s) I admire in others:  Honesty, kindness, humility, hard work and dependability.

People who inspired me (and how):  Mrs. Juliann Curry — She was my 8th grade math teacher and junior high student council advisor. Because of her passion and dedication I knew that I wanted to be a middle school math teacher just like her! She was someone who cared about her students and definitely equipped me for my future math classes.

My husband Greg Cox — He is the most gracious, kind and selfless person I know. Being a teacher’s spouse is no easy feat. It requires sacrifice and understanding of the demands of a passionate teacher’s work load. He is always willing to help me in any capacity I need, from helping me set up my classroom, to helping me design the school yearbook, to running a school carnival booth and working the National Junior Honor Society Veteran’s breakfast. My gratitude to him could never be adequately put into words.

My guiding philosophy:  Love God and love people.

My advice to today’s youth:  Work hard and have integrity in everything you do. Be humble and admit fault when necessary. Practice makes better, so continue perusing excellence and know your life matters.

Name a couple future goals:  To start a YouTube ministry and learn how to play piano.