[Noozhawk’s note: One in a series on the teachers who will be honored Nov. 2 at A Salute to Teachers, presented by Cox Communications and the Santa Barbara County Education Office. Click here for a complete series index.]
Melanie Thatcher was headed toward a career in engineering, like many of her other family members, until her senior year at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo when she realized she was being pulled toward the teaching profession.
Thatcher, who will be honored as a 2020 Santa Barbara County Distinguished New Educator, says she “jumped into education with both feet,” earning her multiple-subject teaching credential and never looking back.
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It’s not as if the fifth-grade teacher at Miguelito School in the Lompoc Unified School District abandoned engineering entirely, though. She finds ample opportunity to incorporate her background into the school’s Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) learning programs.
What’s more, through her research at the NASA Neil A. Armstrong Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Earth System Research Laboratory, Thatcher works with her Miguelito School colleagues to create lesson plans related to research and STEM education.
Her energy, expertise and enthusiasm extend beyond the classroom, and she helps organize the school’s talent show and yearbook, and assists colleagues in integrating technology into their content instruction.
“With her intelligence, insight and creativity, Melanie is poised to set the education world on fire, leading students to new heights of academic achievement,” Miguelito Principal Becky Sausker said.
Eight educators will be recognized Nov. 2 at A Salute to Teachers, an event hosted by Cox Communications and the Santa Barbara County Education Office at the Music Academy of the West in Montecito.
Michele Frantz of Joe Nightingale School in the Orcutt Union School District has been named the 2020 Santa Barbara County Teacher of the Year.
Bree Jansen, a dance, choreography and cheerleading teacher at Lompoc High in the Lompoc Unified School District, will be honored as the 2020 Santa Barbara County Performing Arts Teacher of the Year.
Along with Thatcher, distinguished new educators to be honored are Anthony Bruemmer of Santa Ynez School in the College School District and Michael Wallace of El Camino Junior High School in the Santa Maria-Bonita School District.
Distinguished mentors are Marith Parton of Carpinteria Middle School in the Carpinteria Unified School District, Marilyn Tilley of Battles School in the Santa Maria-Bonita School District and Amy Willis of Los Olivos School in the Los Olivos School District.
In addition to Cox, Salute to Teachers is sponsored by Noozhawk, Anthem Blue Cross, Fielding Graduate University, Montecito Bank & Trust, the Santa Barbara Bowl and the SBCC Foundation.
Noozhawk Q&A
Noozhawk: Why did you decide to become a teacher?
Melanie Thatcher: I was in my third year of college getting my degree as an engineering when I realized that I spent all of my free time volunteering to teach students engineering, organizing engineering events for kids, tutoring, etc. That is when I realized that my love of working with students. So I finished my engineering degree and went back and got my teaching credential.
Noozhawk: How long have you been teaching?
MT: I am in my third year.
Noozhawk: What is your favorite subject or lesson plan to teach your students?
MT: Since my background is in math and science, those tend to be my favorite to teach. I particularly enjoy science because it is hands-on in nature, so it can get some of the more reserved students engaged and out of their shells.
Noozhawk: What is your favorite part of being a teacher?
MT: The students of course. They are what make my job interesting and rewarding. I love seeing the look of success and pride on students’ faces when the finally understand a concept that was challenging to them, or the excitement they get over little projects or activities. I enjoy seeing students grow and develop, both academically and as an individual throughout their year in my room.
Noozhawk: What are the challenges of your job?
MT: Making sure every student is challenged just the right amount. Each student has a different ability level coming into my room, so making sure to support those who need it and challenge others can be a bit of a balancing act at times. Being creative and designing lessons so they can meet many students needs can be a fun challenge.
Noozhawk: What are you most looking forward to this school year?
MT: Since this will be my second year in fifth grade, I am looking forward to refining many of my lessons, adding in new ideas and growing off of what I did last year. In the same way that I want my students to learn and grow, I strive to learn and grow with them.
Noozhawk: Who are your mentors?
MT: I have many mentors on campus who support me, from seasoned teachers to my principal. Everyone offers their own unique perspective and shares different ideas.
Noozhawk: Who are the people in your life and work environment who support you every day?
MT: My family is incredibly supportive. They took it in stride when I wanted to ignore my engineering degree and become a teacher. They continue to support and encourage me to follow what I am passionate about. There are also several teachers on campus who don’t just support me professionally, but have become friends and help me be a well-rounded person.
Noozhawk: How does it feel to be honored as part of the Salute to Teachers?
MT: It has been very sweet to hear all of the kind words from both my colleagues and superiors. I am a fairly quiet person, and I usually think I fly under the radar, so the attention and recognition came as somewhat of a surprise. It means a lot to me that others see the work that I am doing and think highly of my effort, skills and attitude.