Melicia Edwards earned a bachelor of science in early childhood and special education from Daemen College in 2008.
She went on to receive a master’s degree in literacy education from Syracuse University. Currently, Edwards is working towards National Board Certification in Early and Middle Childhood/Literacy: Reading Language Arts.
Edwards has taught for 12 years, currently serving as a 2nd-grade teacher at the Syracuse Latin School.
She also plans and records math lessons aired on a local news station for the Syracuse City School District and works as a professional development facilitator for Eureka Math.
In addition, Edwards serves as a mentor for prospective teachers through the C.U.R.E program at Cortland University.
Edwards attributes much of her success as a teacher to her professors at Daemen College, most notably, Dr. Mary Fox.
“Through [Dr. Fox’s] anecdotes and mentoring, she encouraged innovative teaching and thinking,” said Edwards.
Taking Dr. Fox’s lessons to heart, Edwards raised over $8,000 through DonorsChoose for the purchase of a Google Expeditions Kit—and now engages her second-grade students in virtual and augmented reality environments to enhance their learning.
Edwards resides in Syracuse, New York, with her daughter, Erin, who is a second-grade student in her class.