Grayslake North social worker is calm in a crisis

Judging by the number of greetings and shout-outs, Megan Sayre appears to know nearly everyone at Grayslake North High School.

“Not everybody. I'm just friendly,” said Sayre, who has been a licensed clinical social worker at the school since 2008.

Granted, it is after class on a dreary Thursday near the end of the school year so there are fewer people around. But as a buoyant presence and inspiration for many students and faculty, Sayre's popularity is widespread.

“There are always those certain few who gain a level of respect by what they do and how they do it; that person is Megan Sayre,” wrote Principal James Roscoe in a nomination to the Illinois State Board of Education's Those Who Excel honor for those who have made significant contributions.

“Megan has the unique ability to connect with people on an individual level,” Roscoe continued. “Because she truly cares about students and the co-workers she leads, their success is always her first priority.”

Testimonials from teachers, administrators, students and parents come easily for Sayre, who has helped many in some fashion. All cite her enthusiasm, creativity and above and beyond the call commitment that make her a go-to resource for help and advice.

“She's gotten a lot of kids' trust,” said Cheryl Schwartz, an English teacher who has worked closely with Sayre the past three years. “She's on every committee that exists to help our students and the environment we create for them.”

That includes Adults Involved in Mentoring Students, which pairs staff members with struggling students, and the VOICES anti-bullying club.

Schwartz described how the 32-year-old Roselle woman came to her class to deal with “a rough group of students” over bullying and other issues.

“From the moment Meg left the room, my kids had bonded,” she said. “It was truly remarkable.”

Sayre is one of three social workers at the school who provide counseling and crisis intervention for regular and special education students, work with various agencies and families and complete assessments and evaluations. She also works with groups to address anxiety, depression, family members with addiction, teen parenting and pregnancy, eating disorders, conflict resolution, healthy relationships and other issues.

“If it hadn't been for Megan, I don't know where my daughter would be. Would she be alive? I don't know,” said Lake Villa resident Christine Daniels, whose daughter is now 21.

During her time at Grayslake North, the entire family was going through tough times — dynamics that factored into Sayre's work with her daughter.

“She's thriving now, not surviving,” said Daniels, a nurse. “I tend to expect the same standard of care I give to my patients, and that's how she (Sayre) was.”

While the social workers collaborate well, it is the calm and approachable Sayre who is sought in a crisis, said Megan Licht, associate principal of student services.

Roscoe described Sayre as relentless in finding solutions and calm under the most intense pressure.

At the moment, Sayre is multi-tasking outside the school entrance, passing out chalk and trying to make her way to the teachers' parking lot for “Blacktop Chalk Art,” the inaugural event for VOICES, the after-school, anti-bullying club she founded with students in 2011.

The club is for those who don't feel connected and don't really have a place to be, Sayre said. Most have been bullied and were looking for relief.

“They wanted to help change the culture so they wouldn't be bystanders anymore,” she said of VOICES. The club meets weekly and members have gone to other schools to talk about the real effects of bullying.

About two dozen students are busy making their marks on the pavement as an outlet for self-expression.

“I was bullied in middle school and this club really gave me confidence. I hope I can keep the club doing that for others,” said Ana Sabaj, a student leader of the group who will be senior.

“She (Sayre) is a huge reason I have so much confidence today. She's just really inspiring.”

Angel Harris lives out of state but keeps in touch with Sayre. She coined the name VOICES in 2011.

“It's like you don't have to be alone,” she said of the name. Harris said she had anger issues but no one to talk with.

“Megan Sayre is the reason I graduated,” she said. “We still talk.”

Sayre said her passion comes from being perceived as different and being bullied herself. While in college, she was planning to be a psychologist but a single event during a project involving grammar school students changed that course.

“One day a kid came out and disclosed to me that he was being physically abused at home,” Sayre said. “I had to take this student to the school social worker. Sincerely, at that moment I said, ‘This is what I want to do,'” she said.

“I wanted to be the one to help him. I wanted to see it through. He became part of my heart.”

Sayre said she is not operating in a vacuum.

“One thing I like about Grayslake North (is) it's not taboo to know the social worker,” she said. “I think that says a lot about our school and our acceptance of mental health and tolerance of differences.”