Melissa’s journey into education might be a bit unconventional, but it's one she wouldn't trade for anything. Believe it or not, she started her career working in forensics, where her love for piecing together complex puzzles was born. This passion for understanding intricate details and behavior eventually led her to a new calling: education. For over two decades, she has had the privilege of serving as both a teacher and an administrator, with a strong background in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and a focus on behavior. She shares that it's been an honor to work with so many incredible students and their families, especially in early childhood special education and school-age autism.

For the past 14 years, she has also been an educator with The Learning Program with DSANV, which was a deeply rewarding experience. This year is the first for the all-new Family Learning Lab focused on more topics than previously covered before. Melissa is passionate about working alongside families to help them gain a deeper understanding of behavior and education. Her goal is to empower parents to feel more confident and equipped when engaging in conversations with their school teams. Seeing families become their child's most effective advocates is the best part of what she does.

Outside of her professional life, she is a proud wife and mom to two amazing high schoolers. Their family also includes three furry companions, including a lovable Great Dane! As a family, they love to explore new places and create lasting memories through their travels.