2 years in a row! "Pre K4 Teacher of the Year 2008" - Melinda Reese

 
   
 
   

    I am proud to be a Union Heights Elementary Kindergarten teacher for the 
    Hamblen County School System.  My educational background includes the 
    following degrees:
        AS-Education                               - Walters State Community College; 
        BS-Elementary Education          -  University of Tennessee, Knoxville;
        MS-Elementary Education          - Tusculum College, Greeneville;
        EDS-Education Administration  - Lincoln Memorial University.  
  
    I have been an active leader of my Professional Association, Hamblen County 
    Education Association, which is affiliated with TEA (Tennessee Education 
    Association) and NEA (National Education Association). I am presently 
    serving as HCEA's Co-President with Christiane Schmidt.  For the past 12 
    years I have served on the Executive Board of my local, attended five NEA 
    conventions and twelve TEA conventions.  Other duties also include being 
    Chief Spokesperson for our Negotiating/ Bargaining Team.   I try to represent
    my local at state and local activities as much as possible.
 
    Other education activities or associations, which I am a member of  include:  
    Delta Kappa Gamma (Alpha Zeta Chapter); and International Reading 
    Association (Lakeway Reading Council).  I try to attend different conferences
    or professional development activities around the state.  I have attended 
    Tennessee's Kindergarten State Conference in Franklin, TN.
    

I could not do all that I do without the help of God, my church, my friends, and my loving family! I am happily married to Phillip D. Reese, Jr. We have a 10 year old son Johnathan. My parents Janet and Johnny Shelton help fill in the gaps. We are members of Bethel Baptist Church, where both my husband and I are Sunday School Teachers. My husband and son enjoy motorcycles and outdoor sports. And I love martial arts!
As a 14 year old teenager, my father thought that I needed to learn self defense and enrolled me in Russell Miller's Karate class. My instructor had to stop teaching, so he encouraged me to go to his Sensei's class. So I began my lifelong love of martial arts in Master William Mason's dojo and style "Dragon Cobra Te." At the age of eighteen, I earned my first degree black belt from Master Mason. I continued to study with Master Mason until he retired twelve years ago. I am so excited to be studying and learning once again with Master Mason and Instructor Naomi Mason. Being with my karate family is such a blessing!
I feel that everyone should be active participants in life. If you want to be part of life, you must engage it! Your life is your CHOICE! I choose to be a lifelong learner!








Click Here for 2007 Write up on Melinda

Previous Community Happening Articles
Teacher of the Year
Fun Day 2008
Karate 5 "Firsts"
General Shale Corp.
Furinos to the Rescue
Money Well Spent
Singing in the Word
Teacher of the Year Pre K4
Kids Day 2005 and Other Stories

Return to Home Page