Career Roadmap
Melissa's work combines: Science, Technology, and Teaching / Mentoring
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Day In The Life
Skills &
Education
Here's the path I took:
High School
Lubbock High School
Bachelor's Degree
Biochemistry
Texas Tech University
Graduate Degree
MS in Multi-disciplinary Science
Texas Tech University
Certification
Education/Teaching of Individuals in Junior High/High School Science
Texas Tech University
Here's the path I recommend for someone who wants to be a Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education:
Bachelor's Degree: Science Teacher Education/General Science Teacher Education
Learn more about different paths to this career
Life & Career Milestones
I've taken a lot of twists and turns
1.
I received a BS in biochemistry with the intention of going to medical school. My brother was in a serious accident my senior year. I was forced to find a job and worked in labs for ten years.
2.
I worked shift work in the lab and had no one to watch my children at night after being divorced. I was forced to withdraw my 401K, relocate, and take a lesser paying job as an environmental chemist.
3.
I went back to night school to receive my post-baccalaureate degree in education. I was required to complete 8 hours of geology in order to earn a composite science 6-12 certification.
4.
After teaching and coaching for four years, I decided to attend graduate school. I joined the MSCI cohort 3 and earned a MS in multi-disciplinary science while serving as a Science Teacher Mentor.
5.
Over the course of my teaching career I have taught 6-8 grade science, IPC, and Biology at Cavazos and Frenship Middle Schools. I now teach Astronomy and Chemistry at my alma mater, Lubbock High.
Defining Moments
How I responded to discouragement
THE NOISE
Messages from Family:
You are too smart to teach. You are wasting your education and not getting paid enough for what you do. You need to go to medical school like you planned.
How I responded:
Teaching is not about the money. I was fortunate to have excellent teachers and mentors who helped me along the way. I hope to make a difference in the lives of my students by developing life-long learners that are college and career ready.
Experiences and challenges that shaped me
Completing my post-baccalaureate and master's degrees were a financial challenge. I was a single mother with a limited income and had to rely on student loans and scholarships. My master's was completely funded and most of my loans were forgiven.