Meet Meredith
Dr. Meredith McNerney is a speaker, educator, and spiritual companion dedicated to helping people come back to a sense of calm, connection, and inner peace.
Her journey has been shaped by profound experiences of illness, loss, and healing—from a childhood marked by medical challenges to surviving a rare and aggressive cancer as an adult. These experiences did not take away her light—they deepened her understanding of what it means to live, to suffer, and to find meaning again.
She is the author of Facing Cancer: A Spiritual Journey from Pain to Peace, a memoir reflecting on how her relationship with God was shaped through hardship and love, and Cultivating a Classroom of Calm: How to Promote Student Engagement and Self-Regulation (ASCD), which brings her work in education and wellbeing to life.
For over two decades, Meredith has worked in education as a teacher, principal, and national trainer, helping schools create environments where both students and educators feel safe, seen, and supported. She is the founder of Calmer Schools and an adjunct professor at Shepherd University. She was recently asked to develop and teach a course at Hood College focused on Reimagining Spirituality: Hope and Healing after Religious Harm, designed to prepare counselors to support clients in exploring spiritually grounded healing in ways that are psychologically safe and personally meaningful.
Today, Meredith is creating space for those seeking something deeper—especially individuals who have felt hurt, disconnected, or uncertain about spirituality. Through her work, she gently invites people to reconnect with their inner life, to notice what is already within them, and to experience a calm that is not dependent on circumstances.
As a progressive Catholic shaped by Ignatian spirituality, Meredith approaches spirituality with a spirit of openness, reflection, and discernment—finding God in everyday life while honoring each person’s unique path. Grounded in neuroscience and trauma-informed care, her work creates space for healing, hope, and a return to what has always been within.
Meredith earned her doctorate from Northeastern University, where her research focused on the mental health of educators, with an emphasis on equity and belonging. She lives in Maryland with her husband and two daughters and continues to follow a calling to create spaces of healing, hope, and calm.
Spiritual Calm at Work
Compassion: Humans Make Mistakes. They Need Support.
Every person in an organization matters. When people feel seen and supported, they show up differently—and performance follows.
Awareness: Be Aware of What You Carry and Spread
Emotions are contagious. What we focus on and repeat each day either creates stress or cultivates calm.
Little Things Can Change Everything
Calm isn’t extra—it’s built in small, intentional pauses that reset focus and energy.
Mindfulness: Choose to Respond, Not React
Simple tools help people pause, think clearly, and respond with intention—improving communication and decision-making.
If you’re looking to build a culture grounded in calm, clarity, and compassion, Meredith brings a practical, human-centered approach that resonates across your organization.
Publications
Audience members said…
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Meredith taught me to utilize my supports more to help me gain calm and understanding of my situations more effectively.
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Meredith was really informative and a very engaging presenter. She was responsive and gave excellent realistic explanations.
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You made a difference in my thinking!
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This was very inspirational. Meredith, keep doing what you are doing!
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Meredith taught me to take time for myself and that I already have the experiences to draw from. I can do this!
