Teacher of the Week: Melanie Simmons from Beaufort County Schools

BEAUFORT COUNTY, NC (WITN) - WITN’s Teacher of the Week for November 11 is Melanie Simmons, an advanced math and AIG enrichment teacher at Beaufort County Schools.

Simmons has been teaching in Beaufort County for 31 years. She currently teaches a variety of courses, including sixth, seventh and eighth grade advanced math, along with AIG enrichment for fourth and fifth graders. She also teaches math classes at Bath Elementary School.

Simmons didn’t always think she would end up an educator. She was surrounded by it as a child because she comes from a family of educators, but says her senior year of high school, she actually said she would not follow in their footsteps. It wasn’t until the end of her freshman year at Peace College that she ended up transferring to ECU, received a Teaching Fellows Scholarship and never looked back. She earned her Master’s in MiddleGrades Education at ECU.

Outside of the classroom, Simmons coaches the NES Mathcounts team and the Envirothon team. She also enjoys spending time with her husband and three children.

The person who nominated Mrs. Simmons wrote, "I would like to nominate Melanie Simmons for Teacher of the Week. She is a sweet, amazing teacher!

My son Nathan had been blessed to have her teach AG math to him since 3rd grade (he’s now in 6th grade). She always tells him how great he is and continues to motivate him. She is a teacher that always goes above and beyond her call of duty. There is no other teacher that will EVER be a star to him as much as she is!

My son wants her to know how much she helps him become a better person. In these trying times, I feel as though I can fall apart and she even brings me up as a parent. I’m not her responsibility, but she tells me we are in this together! She is really the example of what every parent wants in a teacher for their child.

I’m so lucky she has been there for my son for so many years! Whether she is chosen or not. I hope she knows that in our eyes, we see her as a winner. She is an excellent teacher and a blessing to all of the students and parents. She is the true example of what you look for in a teacher. My son is blessed beyond words!"

Congratulations Mrs. Simmons!

Every week during the school year WITN will recognize a Teacher of the Week on WITN News at Sunrise. The winner receives a plaque and $100 gift card for school supplies.

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