Designing the Best Learning Experience: Meet Miss Rose
We know that many people underwent career changes during the pandemic. Fifth grade Santa Clarita Valley International (SCVi) teacher and facilitator Melissa Rose was one of them. But how many people became teachers AND within a couple years saw their students’ science project launch into space? Learn more about this incredible teacher who goes above and beyond at our tuition-free TK-12th grade public school.
Please tell us about your background and how you came to be at SCVi.
Education has always been a major part of my life. My dad is a professor at UCLA and my mom taught elementary school for decades. During a post-undergraduate career change, I started working as a substitute teacher in 2016. I realized that I wanted to be a full-time teacher and enrolled in a credential/master’s program at the University of LaVerne during the pandemic in 2020. During this time I did a long-term substitute job in 4th grade and then in kindergarten. For my student teaching at LaVerne, I was placed in a 4th grade / 5th grade class at SCVi. The directors hired me as full-time facilitator after a few months of student teaching.
What do you love about SCVi? What sets it apart from other schools?
I love how the project-based and inquiry-based learning model encourages facilitators to really understand their learners. Facilitators can design learning experiences specifically for their learners in order to optimize both learning and enjoyment. Learners construct meaning through experience in this model.
What’s the best part about your role at SCVi? What’s the biggest challenge?
The best part of my role is getting to spend time with learners and work with them to develop the best learning experiences. My biggest challenge is to adapt projects to the many unique learning styles of my learners. However, this challenge has allowed me to grow and improve as a facilitator.
Are you involved in other activities at SCVi?
I am involved in the DreamUp to Space program at SCVi. In this program, learners write a proposal for an experiment involving microgravity to be performed on the International Space Station (ISS). One experiment is chosen by a committee of aerospace professionals and community leaders. My fellow 5th grade facilitator and I helped the Bok Choy team optimize their experiment. In November 2023, the launch team traveled to Florida to see their experiment launched to the ISS. The experiment returned to Earth in December 2023 and we performed post-flight analysis.
There are great Social-Emotional Learning activities at SCVi. Can you share what you do in your classroom?
Our classroom uses social-emotional learning every day. At the beginning of the year, our class established our classroom expectations together. We wrote them down on a poster and we now keep them at the front of our classroom. Since we developed these expectations together, the learners feel ownership of them and are more motivated to follow them.
Who was your favorite teacher and why?
My 4th grade teacher, Mrs. Dalessandro, because we had the same birthday and she always let me find a way to incorporate my favorite animal (cats) into my assignments.
In your opinion, what makes a great leader? How do you teach leadership?
A great leader is someone who understands the people they lead and works to ensure that everyone on their team succeeds. I teach leadership through hands-on experiences.
Five fun fast facts about Miss Rose:
- I can lick my elbow (double-jointed).
- At one point I had five cats.
- My ancestors were amongst the first people of European descent to travel the Oregon Trail, and are included in a record of the first Oregonians.
- If I got to choose a superpower, it would be telekinesis. I would love to call things to my hands from across the room without having to get up.
- Favorite action movie: The Empire Strikes Back.
SCVi is so fortunate to have passionate facilitators like Miss Rose who innovate and activate students’ love of learning. Join us and give your child the best education. Our tuition-free TK-12th grade charter school is enrolling now!
About SCVi:
Santa Clarita Valley International School (SCVi) is a free public charter school empowering TK-12th graders to become conscientious, compassionate, and responsible citizens of the world. We use project-based and social-emotional learning concepts to inspire and motivate lifelong learners with the skills they need to lead in the 21st century. We incorporate technology into every component of our curriculum, and we value and encourage development of leadership skills by inspiring confidence and character in each of our unique learners. Join our innovative school today!
