Henrico's Top Teachers – Maegan Bendit, Hungary Creek MS

While growing up and playing school almost every day, Maegan Bendit always knew she would become a teacher.

Even though she has had times when getting up for work was a drag and questioned if teaching was the right career, the relationships she forms with students are what keep Bendit coming back to the classroom.

“I’ve never found anything that I enjoy as much as coming in and teaching – once we get here, it’s always something fun and different,” Bendit said. “The biggest thing for me is that I really like to build that relationship, because it also gives me motivation to be present for them.”

After coaching and teaching math for 17 years at several schools in Henrico County, Bendit knew her place was teaching seventh and eighth grades at Hungary Creek Middle School.

“I had been at Hungry Creek as a math coach and really loved the atmosphere and the diverse population that we get to [work] with,” Bendit said.

But while Bendit loved her career in education, she needed something different. That’s when her mother, who taught family and consumer science for more than 30 years, inspired Bendit to switch subjects.

Now just finishing up her second year teaching Family and Consumer Science, Bendit values the fact that she always has an answer when a student asks, “when am I ever going to use this?” Whether it’s discussing finances, exploring careers, or even teaching her students how to sew and use a stove, Bendit knows her students will carry the lessons beyond the classroom.

“It's really nice for me to be able to see those light bulbs go off in their heads about what school is really all about and how it's preparing them for their future,” Bendit said.

Bendit admits that teaching Family and Consumer Science virtually for the first time and building relationships with her students during the COVID-19 pandemic was a struggle. But Bendit took it in stride with creative measures like playing the popular video game, Among Us, and showing students her new puppy at the end of class to reward student participation.

“I was trying to do anything to build those personal relationships because I feel like everyone and students were missing that social piece from school,” Bendit said.

With classes back in-person Bendit has stood out for her ability to continue to keep her students engaged with interactive lessons like cooking, sewing and even electronic babies, according to a colleague who nominated Bendit.

But Bendit is just glad her students have the chance to connect with herself and each other in the classroom instead of through a computer screen once again.