The Presidential Award is an incredible honor. The award is an acknowledgment of my collaboration with colleagues and administration, my commitment to be a lifelong learner, and my dedication to the teaching profession. My students inspire me, motivate me, and teach me every day. This award is a reflection of my dedication to them, my belief that they will be successful, and my dream that they will always remember that learning is a journey, not a destination.

Melissa Romano-Lehman Helena, MT | K-6, Mathematics, 2012

The official biography below was current at the time of the award.

Melissa Romano has been an educator for 10 years, spending the last 9 years with the Helena School District. Her teaching experience includes second grade teacher, kindergarten teacher, and Instructional K-8 Mathematics Coach.  Currently, Melissa is a fourth grade teacher at Four Georgians Elementary School. Melissa is dedicated to the teaching profession. She has presented at many district and state professional development opportunities. She facilitates a district elementary mathematics support group with a focus on developing students' mathematical disposition. Melissa has served a 3-year term on the Montana Council of Teachers of Mathematics and as a board member for the Montana Learning Center, a facility dedicated to the advancement of learning and teaching mathematics and science. Melissa is also committed to collaborating with colleagues at the national level. She serves on the Smarter Balanced State Network of Educators for Montana. She attended a National Education Association Common Core Working Group, a highlight of which was to pool resources with other professionals. Recently, Melissa was selected to work with educators across the Nation as an Educators Evaluating the Quality of Instructional Products juror. Melissa has a B.A. in science and an M.S. in elementary education, both from the University of Bridgeport. She is a certified elementary school teacher.

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