Melissa Austin

Melissa finds joy as children grow socially, emotionally, academically, and spiritually. For 25 years she was hands-on in this process as an elementary school teacher. She also coordinated the Children's Special Needs Ministry at her church. While she still had a passion for education, Melissa's focus changed from students to equipping adults working with children - specifically supporting missionaries in the education of their children.

Melissa graduated from Cedarville University in 1993 with a degree in Elementary Education. After subbing for a year and a half, she had the opportunity to teach for 10 weeks at Greater Lisbon Christian Academy in Lisbon Portugal when the missionary teacher needed to return home for surgery. Melissa had the privilege of teaching for 25 years with Byron Center Public Schools in Byron Center, MI. She taught 1st grade the majority of those years but also taught a couple of years in Developmental Kindergarten, Kindergarten, and a 1st and 2nd Grade split. Melissa was given opportunities as a teacher leader to mentor new teachers, teaching professional development, and lead the school improvement team.

Melissa sees God’s hand in the experiences of her life. Her time at Greater Lisbon Christian Academy opened her eyes to the needs that missionaries have in educating their children and prompted her to get a master's in Reading from Western Michigan University in 2000. She has had the opportunity to lead professional development in literacy and coach teachers in their student’s learning. Co-teaching with special education teachers opened her eyes to the news of special needs children and their families and a ministry at her church where she equipped staff to support these children within their age level programming. After 25 years in the classroom, God used these experiences over the years to change her passion to equipping adults to guide children to learn and become critical thinkers.

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Credentials:

BA in Elementary Education from Cedarville University in 1993

MA in Reading from Western Michigan University in 2000

Trained in Cognitive Coaching, completed Michigan Early Literacy Coaches Network Coaching Modules, and participate in Teacher2TeacherHelp Coaching Huddle.