2006 IMLA Region 1  Educator of the Year

Melisa McKenna

    Few teachers are as deserving of the Region I Middle Level Teacher of the Year award as Melissa McKenna. She exemplifies the IMLA mission statement. She is dedicated to the at-risk students she has taught for 6 years. She provides them with not only academic knowledge but also helps them develop skills for healthy and productive habits by using the community and her teaching innovations.

    Melissa helped create the School-Within-A-School Program in the Coeur d'Alene School District. At Woodland Middle School, where she works, she developed the SWS program, making sure that all her students are served breakfast. She takes her students on field trips to help develop social and behavioral skills. She teaches with differentiated instruction and connects with her students by using a sense of humor. She listens to and understands their problems, often communicating with parents and getting them involved in parent night. She co-wrote an EXCEL grant to get the SWS kids active and make education fun through biking.

    While Melissa puts a lot of energy into teaching the at-risk students, she doesn’t stop there. She is also a 7th grade girls basketball coach and coaches high school softball. She is working towards her masters in Education Leadership currently doing her internship at Woodland. She is an active member of Coeur d'Alene Education Association and its affiliates. She is a member of the Certified Advisory Committee and Woodland’s Collaboration Leadership Team. She also likes to participate in local charity runs and has volunteered to do fund-raising / programming for the KROC center.

    Melissa doesn’t sit still. She enjoys outdoor activities such as biking, kayaking, rock climbing, and backpacking. She just bought her first home which she enjoys sharing with her Springer Spaniel, Gabrielle.

Congratulations  Melissa!