r Dr. Jesse Meeks is the new director and principal at Merit Academy, a charter high school in Springville. He was chosen for his unique background, his educational philosophy and his enthusiasm and energy.
Before he joined Merit, Meeks started and ran a private, classical liberal arts school. The students in his school read and discussed the classics, learned to speak and be leaders, and worked to understand foundational principles from the greatest minds in history. Later, he taught Biology and Government and A.P. Government at Karl G. Maeser Preparatory Academy. He also served as the department chair for the Applied and Social Sciences Department at Maeser Prep. At the conclusion of his final year there, he was given the great honor of receiving the “Teacher of the Year” award.
Meeks has also served on the board of directors at Pacific Heritage Academy. He served as the director of Entheos Academy, an Expeditionary Learning Charter School.
Meeks has a strong, motivational philosophy. He believes every student is a genius. He loves inspiring students to develop leadership qualities, personal gifts and talents, and he loves inspiring teachers and staff to be transformational mentors. He brings passion for learning and devotion for guiding youth and adults as an educator. He receives every person where they are and helps to unlock their fullest potential to achieve their unique missions in life.
The staff at Merit works to inspire young men and young women to develop meaningful skills and attitudes, enabling them to engage in 21st century challenges and opportunities.
Merit recognizes the world is changing, and it is helping its students prepare for success in college and career through developing 21st century skills and attitudes like innovation, excellence, notable Achievements, real-world problem solving, working with authentic audiences and developing a powerful work ethic. The school achieves this by implementing what it calls Project Based Learning. Instead of just lecturing and test-taking, its students and teachers are constantly asking questions about what they are really interested in and how to have impact in the community and world. They do not focus on what the curriculum and state standards say; they focus on how to make those standards come to life.
Merit’s Open House for next school year will be on Jan. 30 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The public is invited to explore the school and meet Dr. Jesse Meeks and Merit’s teachers and students. There will be science demos, student and teacher panels, open classrooms, demonstrations and more. Dinner will be served.