1. MELISSA W. RHODES, M.ED.
252 Bethany Church Rd.,Moore,SC 29369
(864)208-7834
Email: m.rhodes.godwithus@gmail.com
SUMMARY AND STATEMENT OF RESEARCH GOALS
I ama Doctoral Candidatewho isalso a motivated resourceful Educatorwho consistently meets and exceeds
expectationsand goals. I havea proven recordof accomplishmentasan EnglishLanguageArts teacher with
standardized,high stakestestingnumbersabovethedistrictand school’saverage. I ama facilitator/trainer formy
district’s professional developmentcohortprogramD5 Explore. I teach UnderstandingDiversity. I worked
autonomously inlesson planningandasdirectorof my department. I organized and arranged for my studentsto
performin variousproductionsandarranged theirawardwinningparticipationin competitions. I restructured our
drama departmentinto a moreappealingsubjectby utilizingtechnology andbroadeningthespectrumof subject
matter,thus makingour dyingdramaprogramfreshwith relevancethatismorecurrent to thewants and needs of
the modern student. My actionssparked a much greater interestamongour studentbody,whichincreased our
numbers by atleasta 30%marginwithin 3 monthsof my takingover.
I would likean environmentwhereI can conductresearchon Nonverbal LearningDisability anditsimpacton the
gifted learner both sociallyand emotionally whileassessingitasa possiblespectrumdisorder. I amalso currently
in the data collectionstageinresearchingwhether or notprogramming aimed atpreteens and teens undermine
the positivefamilial dynamic. I ama teamplayer butamalso an autonomousleader. I havea competitivespirit,
which drivesmeto innovation,and a spiritof collaborationthatmeans thatI can workin a team-planning
atmosphere. I amnotafraid to think "outsidethebox"for an unconventionalsolution if thatiswhatisneeded to
bringresolution. Thesecharacteristicsmakemea uniqueasset,as I can operatein any oneof thoserealmsto
achievea positive,productiveresolution. My goal isto acquirea professorship ata reputablepostsecondary
institution.
I amto be published in theupcoming2016-2017 winter issueof Teachers of Vision magazine
SKILLS
 When obtainingmy Bachelordegree,I graduated cumlaude. In my graduatecourses,I havesuccessfully
maintained a 4.0GPAwhileworkingfull-timeand supporting a family.
 I havefour years of teachingin theclassroom with a consistent80+%Metor Exceeded Expectations(50%
Met and 30%Exceeded).
 I havemy Bachelor of Arts inEducation.
 I havemy Masters of Education inTeachingtheGifted and Talented.
 I amcurrently intheprocessof earningmy Ph.D.in Education with a focusin Higher Education.
 I amproficientin Blackboard and Schoology.
 I haveconsistentproficiencyin technology intheclassroom,and even tutor my peers in howto use
technology to further expand thelearningarea of their classroom to reach theirstudentswherethey are.
 I was selected mid-yearto takeover and help repairtheDrama Departmentand redesign itinto a Literary
Arts classroom. My administrator chosemefor this task becauseI utilize kinestheticmethods of teaching,
possessstrong creativewritingskills,andhavea creativeapproachto lessonplanning. My administrator
also commented thatheneeded someonewho was autonomousthathecould trust.
 I designed my currentcurriculumand anin-housesetof standardsfor my newLiterary Arts classmodeling
them after our state’s career focused literacystandards;theSouth CarolinaCollege- and Career-ready
State Standards.
 I amalso a positiveandactivemember of my onlinecohortin theConcordiaOnlineDoctorateProgram.

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EXPERIENCE
February 2006-
Current
SpartanburgDistrict5: Berry ShoalsIntermediateSchool
· Supervisor: Michael Powell Contact: (864)949-2300
· 300 ShoalsRd.,Duncan,SC,29334
· I haveserved in SpartanburgDistrict5 sinceFebruary of 2006invariouscapacities;four years
of which wereas an English languagearts teacher.
· I recently transitioned to thedrama/literary artsdepartment,beingchosen formy creative
fortitudein lesson planning,autonomy inmy job performance,and penchantfor writing.
· Facilitator/Trainer: I teach UnderstandingDiversity for our in-service/continuingeducation
cohortprogramD5 Explore
February1996-March
1999
Assistantand StoreManager of Gymboree,WestgateMall
· I opened the Gymboreestorein SpartanburgasanAssistantManager, however,waslater
promoted to storemanager. Adistrictmanager for another company scouted me for a Co-
manager positionatLaneBryant. I then leftthatpositionafter marryingmy husband,and
decidingto becomea stay athomemother.
EDUCATION
1989 Diploma
HillcrestHighSchool
3665 South Industrial Dr.,Simpsonville,SC 29681
UndergraduateandGraduate:
2007-2010 Bachelorof Arts in Education
ConverseCollege
580 EastMain Street,Spartanburg,SC 29302
2011-2012 Master of Education in Teaching theGifted and Talented
ConverseCollege
580 EastMain Street,Spartanburg,SC 29302
2015-Currently
enrolled
Doctorateof Education with a focus in HigherEducation (Projected graduation,2017)
ConcordiaUniversity
2811 NortheastHolman St.,Portland,OR97211

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REFERENCES Thoseproviding professional references havebeen contacted and instructed to forward
electronic communications to ConverseCollege’s Human ResourceDepartmentfor distribution to
the committee forconsideration.
MelindaPayton
Contactinformation: cell—(512)541-9093
Email—Melinda.payton@killeenisd.org
Relationship: ConcordiaUniversity DoctorateProgramcohortcolleague,and friend
Chrystal Phillips
Contactinformation: cell—(864)245-4450;work—(864)949-2300
Email—chrystal.phillips@spart5.net
Relationship: Colleague
Tracey Williamson
Contactinformation: cell—(864)420-2602;work—(864)949-2300
Email—tracey.williamson@spart5.net
Relationship: Colleague
Nancy Smith
Contactinformation: cell—(864)483-1615;work—(864)949-2300
Email—nancy.smith@spart5.net
Relationship: Colleague
Tina Cantrell
Contactinformation: work—(864)949-2300
Email—tina.cantrell@spart5.net
Relationship: Colleague
Ginger Pickren
Contactinformation: cell—(864)316-1975;work—(864)949-2300
Email—ginger.pickren@spart5.net
Relationship: Colleague

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