NAME:
Melissa Word
SCHOOL:
Donald P. Yates Primary
CLASS:
Second
SCHOOL PHONE:
423-479-1723
Although not originally from the state of Tennessee, I've been living in
Cleveland since 1988. I grew up in a small northern Mississippi town named
Holly Springs. My husband, Alvin, and I have been married for almost 36
years, and we have three fantastic adult children. When we moved to
Cleveland, we were looking for a good place to raise our children and that's
exactly what we found! Our children went through Cleveland City Schools
and attended UTK for their higher education. So, yes, I love the color
orange! Our oldest son, Alvin, is in the Army and stationed in Germany.
He's been to Iraq twice and Afghanistan once. Our second son, Brian,
is a youth pastor in Montgomery, AL. He was the first of our children to get
married (this past May). Our daughter, Amanda, is in sales and works in
Knoxville.
My husband and I attend First Baptist Church and have worked with children
in Sunday School from the bed babies through the youth department. However,
several years ago we "promoted" ourselves to a class for adults!
We love pets, too! Currently we have two dogs, three Austrian Gouldian Finch
birds, and I take care of the aquarium at Yates. Believe me, they keep us
busy. I think my husband brought in all these animals to keep me from
missing our children and wanting grandchildren so much!
I attended college at a small Baptist school in Clinton, MS--Mississippi
College. My masters degree was earned at Mississippi State University.
Including two years teaching three-year olds in a church pre-school, I have
34 years of teaching experience! Prior to coming to Yates, I taught third
grade at Bower (now Blythe-Bower) here in Cleveland for twelve years. This
past year I was honored by being chosen as Cleveland City Schools' Teacher of
the Year K-4 for the second time in my 21 years with this system. However,
my greatest honor comes from working with the children and parents!
My mission is to accept and love the students for exactly
who they are and what they can do. I want them to enjoy coming to school
and to look forward to each day's learning experiences. I will do whatever
it takes to have them ready for third grade. We work hard, but then we play
hard!