Meg Baly, W'88, L'92, GC'25 is a 'triple Spider' with a single purpose

Margaret “Meg” Baly calls herself “three times as grateful.” The University of Richmond alum — Baly earned a BA in Political Science and French in 1988 from Westhampton College and a JD from the School of Law in 1992 — returned to campus to complete a Master of Teaching through the School of Professional and Continuing Studies (SPCS). On May 9, 2026, she addressed fellow graduates as the SPCS student speaker, a role selected by the School’s faculty and staff to represent the student body and to exemplify its mission to enrich lives and careers for the 21st century.

In her remarks, Baly centered the responsibilities that come with the profession she has embraced. “Our degree carries with it a responsibility to advocate for our students, to keep learning ourselves, and to prepare our students not only for academic success, but to become good citizens,” she said.

That focus on students — on their voices, safety, and sense of belonging — reflects the values she says were amplified by SPCS. “The professors are leaders in education and are passionate about what education should be,” she noted. “They encouraged us to speak up for our students, and what we know is great teaching.”

Baly’s path to the classroom began after a successful early legal career that included clerking for the Supreme Court of Virginia and handling insurance defense work with Progressive Insurance. Following the birth of her second child, she discovered a calling in schools, earning an early childhood education certificate and teaching preschool before moving into elementary education roles. Today, she leads a fourth-grade classroom at Good Shepherd Episcopal School, where she prioritizes relationship-centered instruction that supports both academic growth and social-emotional development.

Her commitment to service and adaptability took root early. Growing up in a military family — her father served in the U.S. Army — Baly moved 11 times, including two tours in Germany, before finishing high school in Northern Virginia. Those experiences inform the empathy and steadiness she brings to students from diverse backgrounds. “We are creating environments where students feel safe, heard, valued, and confident in their ability to learn,” she told graduates.

Baly credits the University — and SPCS in particular — with providing the professional preparation and reflective habits that shape her teaching. Courses grounded in evidence-based practice, mentored field experiences, and a cohort of peers “as old as [her] own children” broadened her perspective. “Thank you for challenging us to think critically, to reflect on our purpose, and to remember that personal connections with our students matter immensely,” she said, addressing faculty.

As a “Triple Spider,” Baly also underscored continuity and community. She met her husband as an undergraduate, raised her family in Richmond, and often returned to campus. Now, as she and her classmates step forward as educators across the region, her closing charge resonates: “They will challenge us, make us laugh and cry, inspire us, and will remind us each day of why this work matters.”