Local Teacher Named A Down Syndrome Association Teacher Of The Year

(From the Down Syndrome Association of Greater Toledo)

Meet Ms. Kosier from Findlay City Schools, one of our 2026 Outstanding Teachers of the Year! Here’s what was said about Ms. Kosier.

Educators as a whole deserve recognition for choosing a career that shapes the future of the communities they serve. While Oliver is still early in his educational journey, it’s already clear that his teacher this year has gone far beyond what is required of her.

Meghan Kosier has intentionally created a classroom where Oliver is included in as much as possible. She thoughtfully adapts the work of his peers so he can engage with the same subjects at a level that meets his needs, allowing him to learn alongside his classmates. Meghan has also taken the time to educate the other students about Oliver’s accommodations and how they can support him. At this age, children have such a genuine desire to help and include others, and she has nurtured that beautifully.

Her classroom has learned various ASL signs, and each morning they sing “The More We Get Together” using ASL—something not required, but incredibly meaningful. It gives Oliver a way to fully participate and feel a true sense of belonging with his peers.

Most recently, Meghan led a large portion of the Town Hall at Northview Primary School—a gathering where the entire school comes together to celebrate accomplishments and share important messages. In March, she presented for World Down Syndrome Day with very little guidance, taking the initiative to gather age-appropriate information that students from kindergarten through second grade could understand and learn from. She encouraged everyone to wear mismatched socks and thoughtfully explained the meaning behind it. While her class was already familiar with the ASL song, she went a step further and taught it to the entire school, accompanied by the principal on guitar.

Meghan’s dedication to education has extended far beyond her classroom and into the heart of the entire school community. For that, I am deeply grateful. It’s easy to pour into a classroom that doesn’t require “extra,” but Meghan sees Oliver’s extra chromosome not as a challenge, but as a gift—one that deserves to be celebrated both in her classroom and throughout the school.