All About Mrs.Thompson
(the former Miss Ramirez)

Hello! My name is Melissa Thompson and I am a third grade teacher at Jerry Ross Elementary School. I graduated from Purdue University Calumet in May 2006 with a degree in Elementary Education. This is my third year of teaching, and I am enjoying every minute of it. I went into teaching because I wanted to help make the learning experience a great one for children.

In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, helping out with marching band and coaching Color Guard, playing with technology, taking pictures and making videos, learning about new roller coasters, and relaxing at the Dunes. I've also become a new homeowner so I spend oodles of time landscaping and learning how to use power tools.

 
This is me when I was little. I think I was about 4 years old in this picture.
Here is Cosmo the cat. He's a very silly cat. Sometimes, he thinks he is a dog. Cosmo likes to play with his brother's Bobo.
Meet my little dog Chewy. His first owner named him after Chewbacca from Star Wars. I think you can see why. We should call him Tigger because he is VERY bouncy!

This is my husband Justin. We were married this past summer on July 12th. He is a high school band teacher. We spend our summers working with his marching band. I am his Color Guard coach for the band.

Learn all about me from my blinky collection!

 

Some of my favorite pictures...
I enjoy cake decorating. Here are some cakes I've made.

 

 

 

Mrs. Thompson's Resume

Melissa M. Thompson
E-mail: mthompson@cps.in.k12.us
Web site: http://www.ourclasscorner.com

Objective:
To secure a teaching position in which I can utilize my special skills and abilities to positively influence young children

Education:
August 2001 – May 2006              Purdue University Calumet                Hammond, Indiana
Elementary Education (Bachelor of Arts)
         • Grade Point Average (based on a 4.0 scale)
            Education – 4.0                   Cumulative – 3.88
         • Graduation: May 2006        License Number: 951364 (K-6, Rules 2002)

August 1997 – June 2001             Merrillville High School                       Merrillville, Indiana
Core 40 Diploma
         • Served many leadership roles in various organizations
         • Member of the Future Educators of America organization
         • Received the Olind Skinner scholarship upon graduation

Professional Experience:
Classroom Teacher – Third Grade
August 2006 – Present                  Jerry Ross Elementary School          Crown Point, Indiana

Student Teaching Experience – Third Grade
January 2006 – May 2006             Northview Elementary School            Valparaiso, Indiana

Volunteer aide for the Giving Individual Friendships to Students (GIFTS) reading program
January 2005 – May 2005             Parkview Elementary School             Valparaiso, Indiana

Personal aide for a student with autism at the “All About Art” summer camp
July 2004                                    Valparaiso University                         Valparaiso, Indiana

Volunteer aide for the Kindergarten summer school program
June 2004 and June 2005              Flint Lake Elementary School            Valparaiso, Indiana

Various field experiences at the following schools – September 2001 – November 2005
   Northview Elementary School – Valparaiso, Indiana
   Cooks Corner Elementary School – Valparaiso, Indiana
   Henry P. Fieler Elementary School – Merrillville, Indiana
   Jonas E. Salk Elementary School – Merrillville, Indiana
   Douglas MacArthur Elementary School – Cedar Lake, Indiana
   William McKinley Elementary School – East Chicago, Indiana
   James H. Watson Elementary School – Schererville, Indiana
   Orchard Drive Elementary School – Hammond, Indiana
   Warren G. Harding Elementary School – Hammond, Indiana
   Frank O’Bannon Elementary School – Hammond, Indiana
   Woodrow Wilson Elementary School – Hammond, Indiana

College Honors:
• Achieved Dean’s List and Semester Honors for ten consecutive semesters
• Chosen by one of Purdue University Calumet’s Mathematics Education professors to be part of an inquiry Math research project
• Chosen by Purdue University Calumet’s School of Education to be an Undergraduate Mentor
• Awarded the Harry Geisen Scholarship in the fall of 2004 and again in the summer of 2005
• Nominated by one of Purdue University Calumet’s literacy professors to be inducted into the university’s Beta Gamma Chapter of Alpha Upsilon Alpha, the honor society of the International Reading Association
• Received second place in the “Children’s Literature” category for Purdue University Calumet’s Stark-Tinkham Writing Contest
• Chosen by Purdue University Calumet’s School of Education to score assessments from a 5th grade enrichment program entitled “NavOps: Deep Submergence”
• Selected by Purdue University Calumet’s School of Education as one of its Outstanding Students for the 2005-2006 academic year

Special Skills and Interests:
• Experienced in using Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, Macromedia Dreamweaver and Fireworks (web page editing software), and various children’s software selections
• Voluntarily established and currently coach the Morgan Township HS and Washington Township HS Color Guard squad
• Knowledge of the Spanish language (4 ½ years of training throughout high school and college)
• Developed leadership skills from many assigned leadership positions throughout high school and college
• Excellent organizational skills developed from responsibilities as a leader, manager, and student teacher
• Creative edge fostered by musical experience (piano), various art classes, and performing arts activities (Color Guard)
• Volunteering in local school programs