Melanie Fink

The career of teaching is a great privilege and honor. I look forward to enlightening all children, by modeling with math and science (physics), engaging literacy and exposing them to art and nature. Hopefully, they are inspired to independently explore a topic from the classroom, at home! I hope to make a significant contribution to education and inspire others. Share my passion for Physics, Math Literacy, Nature and Art. Gifted and Enrichment Teacher k-4, High School Physics and Math Learning Support and Science Certified. In the private sector wrote Environmental Science contracts for the government. Passionate about taking Stem one step further Modeling with Math and Science Engaging Literacy Art Nature Independent Exploration "MELANIE"

In my classroom, I have developed curriculum and shared with colleagues various STEM Projects, cultural explorations, fractal geo-metrics and other project-based learning extending from the common core. While also respecting and intertwining literacy; fiction and non-fiction, Historical Fiction, Classic and Modern Literature into these projects on the elementary and secondary level.

Teacher of the Year National Honor Society

Currently, I hold certification in Science 7-12, Administration K-12 and Elementary Education K-6. At Upper Merion School District, I am working as an elementary gifted teacher and provide enrichment support in grades K-4. I also have experience in secondary education providing academic support for emotional support students. In the fall of 2017, I completed a Principal Certification Program as part of The Teaching, Learning and Curriculum Advanced Studies Masters Program. Enrolled in a Doctoral Program for the fall of 2019. I gained strong leadership experience in the private sector as a federal and municipal contract coordinator for government environmental science services, prior to pursuing a career in education. In addition, assumed an upper level executive management position for a parent company with several subsidiaries.

In addition, I facilitated many professional development sessions requested by colleagues and administration relating to STEM and industry trends. Collaboratively, through extensive research I implemented a technology and literacy program combining coding and robotics. I am passionate about STEM curriculum. Currently, collaborating on the "A" in Steam. Together with the special area teachers, the "A" team (Art, Music, Library and Physical Education/Health teachers) have met during our "NEW second preparation period" to write special curriculum and team-teach during the extension period. Some examples: In art, students prepared fairytale characters with 21st century skills by designing a backpack. Cinderella had a remote control for her Roomba in her backpack so she could clean while at the ball. We used an application/resource called "Defined Stem" and informational resources from a professional development session that we attended in the fall held at the MCIU. In music, we connected the Next Gen Science Standards to our program "The Sound of Science". This included building drums in first grade and a 4th grade project, "Bose Build". Children in the library enjoyed connecting the components of shadows, light and angles in a project titled "The Groundhog's Shadow". The children manipulated light and measured various the angles, rate of refraction. Physical Education/Health department worked with a local dentist to connect ideas of force with orthodontics. We have been researching Stem Materials and Activities for the Adaptive Classroom. Many of these materials have captured the focus of all our students. Intriguing excitement and a better understanding of Isaac Newton's Laws of Motion and Magnetic Energy.