Higgs bestowed educational honor

DAR Regent Dixie Parker, left, and Past Regent Elise Troupe present local resident and educator Meredith Anne Higgs, center, with the Mary Smith Lockwood Founders Medal for Education. (Photo provided)

Meredith Anne Simmons Higgs, a local educator, was recently honored by the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) for her pioneering efforts in education and curricular reform.

Higgs was recently bestowed the Mary Smith Lockwood Founders Medal for Education by DAR’s national Founders Medals Trustees and was presented with a medal and certificate by Shelby Chapter regent Dixie Parker in Shelbyville.

In her nomination letter, past regent Elise Troupe said of Higgs, “She goes far beyond the call of duty everyday in serving and educating the youth of Middle Tennessee.”

The Founders Medal recognized Higgs’ continuous and enthusiastic commitment and service to education in Tennessee. Among her substantial list of public service activities, Higgs volunteered as a mentor for over 271 mathematics and science fair students, co-chaired the 2002 Warren County First Lego robotics competition, developed and was awarded grant support for a Girl Scout camp in mathematics and science, and volunteered with the 4-H Club.

Higgs is a vocal proponent of innovation in the classroom and has presented numerous local, state, regional, and national speeches and conference sessions.

Higgs is an assistant professor of developmental studies at MTSU and is pursuing her doctorate of education at Peabody College of Vanderbilt University. She and her husband, Raymond, reside in McMinnville.