Plaza Towers Class Experiences Animal Growth Up Close

For any first-grade student, having an in-class pet is exciting, but this spring, first-graders in Megan Williams' class at Plaza Towers Elementary had a little farm of animals to care for. Honestly, they should have expected no less from the teacher who takes her school photo with a guinea pig on her shoulder. 

Williams is a 2005 graduate of Moore High School and attended Sky Ranch, Winding Creek, and Highland East Junior High during her time as a student. She has been a classroom teacher for 12 years, with 11 at MPS.

Annually, she incubates eggs for her students to get a closer look at life and uses the chicks to teach them about the chicken lifecycle. The students watch the chicks hatch in the classroom and observe how quickly they grow in just a few weeks. This is Williams' eighth school year to hatch and grow chickens.

"Some years we have a great hatching turnout and others, like this year, are low. My students still love the chicks regardless of how many we have," Williams said.  

The idea for a pet in the classroom started when Williams discovered a grant program called "Pets in the Classroom." That's how she got her first classroom pet, Kiwi the guinea pig. Williams said that the grant program is the best way to start the pet process for a classroom.

"When I first started growing chickens, I would rent the supplies from the OSU Extension Office. When I realized I wanted to continue to grow chickens, it meant I needed to have an incubator of my own. I applied for a Moore Public Schools Foundation Classroom Grant to help me get started," she said. 

This semester we had guinea pigs Milo and Otis, rabbits Remi and Rexi, and five chicks that the kids got to name: Marshmallow, Snowman, Squirtle, Lucas, and Biscuit.

- First Grade Teacher Megan Williams 

Williams said Kiwi had been her class pet for eight years and passed away this past December. Her uncle brought the class two new guinea pigs just before the winter break and now Milo and Otis have been a part of the kids' school days this spring semester. For five years, rabbits Remi and Rexi have been a part of the class after a teacher friend of Williams had bunny babies who needed a forever home.

Each year, she works with families on permissions for the students so they can actively engage and learn about the care and responsibilities of having a pet with animals in the classroom. Williams said she believes classroom pets create opportunities to teach empathy and compassion toward animals and said not only do students learn how to treat and care for them, but they also learn that being a "farmer" is hard work and can get stinky and messy. 

She said it's important for students to learn that they can't start something and give it up. One of her classroom jobs for weekly class leaders is to be the "Farm Feeder." With family permission, students get to feed, water and care for the animals which includes sweeping the bunny playpen. Williams cares for the litter box.

"I love seeing how my students care for the animals and the growth they have throughout the year with the responsibilities. They truly love the animals, and it brings so much joy to the classroom," said Williams.

She said each week, when new class leaders are picked, the Farm Feeder is always the first choice. Two students per week get the responsibility. They get to sit in the bunny playpen after recess as a cool down, will feed the rabbits and take care of them for the week. 

"Animals can bring a sense of calm to students. If a student needs a break or just to be calm for a bit, they can sit with the bunnies or go look at the guinea pigs. And not only does my class benefit, but other teachers will send their students to take breaks with the farm," she said. 

When asked about her "why" for teaching, she said, "I teach because I love working with kids. I love helping my students achieve their academic goals and I get to meet them right where they are developmentally.

"Teaching little kids brings me so much joy because they are fun and most of the time, eager to learn. I love helping them grow their confidence throughout the school year," said Williams.

She said she wants to be a light to everyone she encounters and that the world needs positive influencers who inspire and encourage young people.

"I strive to be that positive person for all of my students," said Williams.

Moore Public Schools is the fourth-largest school district in Oklahoma (FY25), serving approximately 24,500 students and their families across 35 school sites. Visit mooreschools.com to learn about the MPS district.