Meet Melissa
Certified Reading and Language Arts Specialist, 6th-Year Degree M.Ed, Special Education
MAT, Elementary Eduction
Melissa is an experienced special education teacher and a certified Reading and Language Arts specialist, with over 20 years in the field of education. She has been a special education teacher in Connecticut public schools for over 16 years and prior to that, she was a 3rd grade teacher in Atlanta, GA. Melissa is certified in grades K-12 but specializes in grades K-6.
Melissa is committed to empowering students with diverse learning needs and is trained and certified in several evidence-based Structured Literacy programs and approaches including Wilson Reading System and Orton-Gillingham.
Melissa received a master's degree in elementary education from Emory University and a master’s degree in special education from University of Saint Joseph. In 2017 Melissa earned her certificate of advanced studies as a reading and language arts consultant from Sacred Heart University. There, Melissa graduated Summa Cum Laude and was awarded the Gold Medal of Excellence, the highest academic medal of honor.
Perhaps Melissa's most distinctive skill is her ability to develop an individual connection with every student she works with whether bonding over a favorite sports team, Legos, lava lamps, or a popular singer, allowing her to create learning sessions that engage and excite your child. This, in addition to her extensive knowledge in special education and her expertise in reading and language arts, equips her with a diverse set of tools and strategies to address individual learning profiles effectively.
Melissa recognizes the importance of fostering a supportive and nurturing learning environment and she immerses herself in researching the latest trends in reading and writing, ensuring that she remains well-informed and able to provide her students with the most effective strategies and approaches. Melissa also incorporates game-based learning into her sessions as research has shown that adding educational games into learning is more motivating for students and promotes language development, executive functioning, and attentiveness. Melissa can also
coordinate with your child’s teachers for an even more personalized academic experience.
In her free time, Melissa enjoys spending time with her family (including three adult children and two Australian Labradoodles), traveling, listening to music, and dabbling in photography.
CERTIFICATIONS & ORGANIZATIONS
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Wilson Certified (Wilson Dyslexia Practitioner)
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Orton-Gillingham Certified
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Sound Sensible
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SPIRE certified
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International Dyslexia Association
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International Literacy Association
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Council For Exceptional Children
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Connecticut Education Association
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National Teachers Association