Melissa Bond, Grade 4

Hello there! I am thrilled to be teaching at Mountain School this year! I graduated from NAU with a Bachelor of Science in elementary education and began teaching in Phoenix in 1997. I have experience teaching kindergarten-eighth grade in public, parochial and charter schools in Phoenix and Flagstaff. I earned my Master’s in Elementary Education in 2000 and am working towards a second Master’s in Educational Leadership/Principal Certification.

I am married to a wonderful man and we have two amazing daughters! We also have a German shepherd. We love this beautiful state of Arizona and our family is grateful to be a part of the Mountain School community.

I support the Mountain School mission and philosophy fully. I believe in supporting my students as much as possible as they grow and develop to become lifelong learners. I believe in striving to find the teaching method that responds best to every learning style. It is of paramount importance to discover the needs of every student. A program of study that is too easy or too difficult does not serve the student, and it is my goal to provide an environment where there are optimal learning experiences for all. I have been able to combine quality programs, research-based curriculum, and assessment tools that increase student achievement.

Effective classroom management, high expectations, and consistent communication with families is necessary. Children will respond to clear expectations and will rise to the occasion when they are treated as respected and responsible individuals. I believe in creating an environment that nurtures the affective and cognitive development of every child. This environment will enable children to acquire a strong character and enable them to become creative and critical thinkers.

Nothing is more important than providing a model to children that exudes honesty, integrity, humility, kindness, compassion, and hard work. I am willing to go the distance to create a memorable, special, and valuable school year for my students. I am an educator who believes in her students from the moment they walk into the classroom door on the first day of school and well into their future.

Let’s work together to make this year the best one yet for our children!

Ms. Melissa