Walsh University Teacher of the Month: Melissa Robinson, Louisville City Schools

NAME – Melissa Robinson

SCHOOL – North Nimishillen Elementary

RESIDENCE – Lake Township

HIGH SCHOOL ALMA MATER – Jackson High School

COLLEGE – Xavier University (undergraduate); University of Cincinnati (graduate)

FAMILY – Husband, Steve; and we have two beautiful girls, Olivia and Savannah.

WHAT SUBJECTS DO YOU TEACH? – I am a speech-language pathologist. For the past two years I have worked with preschool-age children. In previous years, my caseload was mixed with students from preschool, kindergarten, first grade and second grade.

WHAT IS THE BEST PART OF YOUR JOB? – There are several things that I enjoy about my job. I love building a genuine connection and bond with all of my students. I like listening to all of their stories and events going on within their lives. I also feel blessed to have such wonderful coworkers. I get to work with a lot of great professionals who are passionate about what they are doing and always want the best for their students.

WHAT IS THE MOST CHALLENGING PART OF YOUR JOB? – Much of my day is spent providing direct therapy instruction with the students, so some of the paperwork that I have to get done (i.e. report writing) gets brought home with me. In the evenings I have to balance spending time with my family and getting my paperwork done in a timely manner.

WHAT SECRET TO SUCCESS WOULD YOU SHARE WITH STUDENTS? – Believe in yourself. You need to be your own positive cheerleader pushing yourself towards your own personal goals in life. What you want in life does not always come easy, but if you work hard without giving up, you will get to where you were meant to be.

IS TEACHING KIDS THE SAME TODAY AS WHEN YOU FIRST STARTED? – Teaching is definitely different than when I started 19 years ago. Change is inevitable in life, so there have been some positive and negative changes over the years in education. The way teachers can integrate and use technology within the classroom setting would definitely be a positive change. Unfortunately, over the years there has been an increase of expectations that teachers need to meet. As a result, I have definitely seen an increase of job stress.

YOUR STUDENTS WOULD BE SURPRISED TO KNOW THAT YOU … – … actually began my career as an early childhood education teacher. Once I graduated from Xavier University, I moved to Orlando, Florida. I taught kindergarten and second grade for a few years before returning back home to Ohio to become a speech-language pathologist.

WHAT IS YOUR HIDDEN TALENT? – I think that I am really good at organizing and bargain shopping. My husband thinks my hidden talent is my athleticism and endurance during my indoor cycling workouts to prepare for the PeloFondo events that I participate in.

IF YOU WEREN’T A TEACHER, YOU’D … – … own and operate a charming clothing boutique somewhere in Florida along the Gulf Coast.

AFTER A LONG DAY AT WORK, WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO RELAX? – I love to unwind each day with my family. We enjoy going for hikes, bike rides, visiting different parks, playing games or watching movies together.

Other nominees

Alliance

Kate Harris, first grade at Alliance Early Learning School − Kate has gracefully jumped back into teaching after being home for a few years to raise her twins. While she is a natural leader on the first-grade team, she also collaborates with her teammates daily to learn new curriculum and school systems that were adopted in her absence. We feel grateful to have her back in the classroom and on the AELS team!

Bianca Burwell, art at Alliance Middle School − Bianca builds positive relationships with her students and is always striving to create a better learning atmosphere, not only in her classroom but in our entire building. She is always receptive to taking on additional work for the improvement of AMS.

Canton Central Catholic

Mr. John Weeks, theology/religion − Mr. John Weeks has been a theology teacher at Central Catholic High School for decades. Mr. Weeks teaches Hebrew Scriptures and our Social Mission course. Those courses are an important part of the religion curriculum every Central student takes. Teachers such as Mr. Weeks play a vital role in teaching students what it is to live a life rooted in faith and how to allow a moral compass to guide their decisions, as exampled by Christ. He doesn’t just teach them, he leads by example, as he volunteers for our Liturgical Musical Ministry, offering his musical talents to school worship services. Mr. Weeks is also ever present with a smile and a hello for students as they move through the first-floor hallways. He is, simply put, a kind soul.

Canton City

Linda Dueble, art at Worley − Linda's love of teaching art shines through each lesson she delivers. The way she adapts and modifies to reach all our Worley students, collaborates with teachers on cross-curricular projects, and helps support all students and staff is exceptional.

Tiffany Lea, Title I, Crenshaw − Tiffany does an amazing job working with our students in the Core Plus classes, and she works hard to always plan awesome Title Nights for our families. Along with all the other great things she does, she plans and runs our Book Fair every year.

Canton Local

Sheri Davies, fourth grade at Faircrest Memorial Elementary School − Mrs. Davies embodies our district's mission by teaching every child, every minute, every day. She helps students believe they can achieve at high levels and supports them in their quest for learning. Sheri is a dedicated teacher, wonderful colleague and a fierce advocate for public education.

Jackson Local

Scott Eversdyke, choir − Mr. Eversdyke does a tremendous job of representing all aspects of our choir program at Jackson High School. His classroom management and organization in class are second to none, and the talent that he is able to produce each year is inspiring. Mr. Eversdyke spends countless hours outside of the school day to both ensure his students are prepared for the various performances, and to serve a multitude of school events.  Mr. Eversdyke is an incredible asset to Jackson Local Schools.

Lake Local

Arleen Scott, grades 5-12, orchestra − Arleen Scott has established an orchestra program that includes students from all backgrounds, age groups, personalities and ability levels, as well as musicians who are gifted academically and those who find school to be more challenging. Her expectations for her students, attention to detail, and obvious enthusiasm for her craft have enabled our school orchestra to achieve rankings that are consistently superior and present performances that are always enjoyable and almost therapeutic. We have students who come to school each day because of Mrs. Scott, knowing that she will somehow take the quirks, moods, worries, and anxieties of a very diverse group and somehow, magically, create wonderful music.

Louisville City

Melissa Robinson, speech and language intervention specialist − Melissa Robinson is an amazing preschool speech and language intervention specialist. She is kind and compassionate and works tirelessly to help our youngest of friends overcome speech errors and develop language skills with friends who struggle. She works seamlessly with our preschool teachers and goes above and beyond to help our friends be successful! Melissa is a gem of a speech therapist, and we are very fortunate to have her on our staff.

Marlington Local

Chris Gerber, second grade − Mr. Chris Gerber is "all in” at Lexington Elementary! He teaches a second-grade inclusion classroom where he models outstanding examples of co-planning and co-teaching. Mr. Gerber has high expectations for his students, is patient, and encourages student growth by meeting the needs of all learners in his classroom. He models Duke Pride every day. Lexington Elementary is proud to have Mr. Gerber as part of the team!

Andrea Wise, English − Mrs. Wise is an outstanding English teacher for the students of Marlington High School. Not only does she spend hours working to set individual growth goals for students, but she is also the department chair for the English Department. She is a leader in the building, as she serves on the Building Leadership Team, and identifies ways to improve the overall school climate and culture. She continues to go above and beyond to help her students and colleagues, and her leadership in the building is very much appreciated.

Massillon City

Brittany Weber, third grade at Franklin Elementary − Franklin would like to recognize Brittany Weber for what she does every day for her students and the building. Mrs. Weber's class consists of students with varying needs, both academic and emotional. Her firm but loving approach really resonates with her students. They know and witness every day the love she has for her students. Another great quality of Mrs. Weber is her willingness to learn and try something new that may help her students grow academically. That is exactly what she is taking on this year with a very collaborative approach to teaching her class. A team player and a good relationship builder with parents or more attributes describing Mrs. Weber. Thank you for what you do every day. It matters!

Amanda Williams, eighth-grade English Language Arts − Mrs. Williams has high expectations for her students and challenges them to achieve their potential, academically and socially. As a Student Council advisor and school counselor intern this year, she gets to work with students outside of the classroom and extend her positive influence. Students work hard for Mrs. Williams because she believes in them!

North Canton City

Stacy Callahan, Grade 4 − Ms. Callahan is masterful at building relationships with her students. She is constantly finding new ways to reach her students through creative, engaging lessons. Her classroom truly feels like family.

Kelleen Davis, Family and Consumer Science − Mrs. Kelleen Davis has taught Family and Consumer Science classes in the North Canton School District for the past 32 years. Over the course of her time at North Canton Middle School and Hoover High School, she has helped many students navigate life with her cooking expertise, money management instruction, college and career preparation lessons, and infant care demonstrations. We appreciate her dedication, passion, and leadership with both students and staff. Thank you, Kelleen.

Perry Local

Rachel Prokopchuk, eighth-grade science − Mrs. Prokopchuk radiates positivity in all she does! She has an awesome attitude that helps to elevate students, staff and parents. Mrs. Prokopchuk is a creative, hardworking teacher and goes out of her way to connect with students. She leads our Student Council and is always willing to pitch in wherever help is needed. Mrs. P. is an asset to the Edison team!

Osnaburg Local

Mrs. Yolanda Shimek, second grade at East Canton Elementary − East Canton Elementary would like to recognize Mrs. Yolanda Shimek as our Teacher of the Month! Mrs. Shimek has faithfully served East Canton Elementary students and families for over 30 years! She is continually seeking and learning to be the very best she can be for her students. During a new “Creative Play” period of class with her second graders, they took a nature hike to gather materials and utilize them to build creative representations of historical villages. Thank you, Mrs. Shimek, for dedicating your full self to educating our future generations!  #HornetPRIDEforever

Stephanie Barry, seventh-grade ELA at East Canton Middle School − Miss Barry is a true advocate for her students. She goes above and beyond to meet all their unique needs. She believes success in the classroom begins with positive relationships and an environment where students feel safe making mistakes and voice their opinions. She is purposeful in integrating social and emotional learning in her ELA lessons. Thank you, Miss Barry, for making ECMS the very best it can be!

Plain Local

Katy Prather, first grade − Ms. Prather goes above and beyond to not only bring her students solid instruction but real-life experiences. Her classroom has housed fish, cockroaches and baby chickens for her students to study. She plans for regular guest speakers, including Stark Parks birds of prey, a veterinarian and the bookmobile. Ms. Prather’s caring nature helps her connect with her students and helps all students find success in her classroom.

Scott Ferrell, ninth-grade science at GlenOak High School − Throughout his entire career, Mr. Ferrell has always been a champion for students and their needs as he makes a difference in the science classroom and as the coach for cross country and track. He is a difference maker who impacts the positive school culture at GOHS as a role model for students and staff. 

Sandy Valley

Christina Hormell, K-5 technology − Learning technology is exciting with Mrs. Christina Hormell! From the basics, like how to use a mouse, to more advanced and challenging projects, such as coding, Mrs. Hormell's lessons help our Cardinals gain valuable skills that they can use throughout their lives!

This article originally appeared on The Alliance Review: Walsh University Teacher of the Month: Melissa Robinson, Louisville City Schools