Melissa Jonas Email & Phone Number

Seattle, Washington, United States

I've been privileged to work in over a dozen buildings as a certificated substitute teacher. I served as a long-term substitute 4th grade teacher at South Shore PK-8 from October-June of this school year. Go Sea Dragons! I'm very proud of the community our class created and of the incredible academic growth each and every student made. I'm transitioning to Highline School District for 2024-25. I may or may not remember to update LinkdedIn, but I do want to celebrate becoming a Special Education teacher in a district leading the way in inclusion and collaborative teaching.

Seattle, Washington, United States

This position brought together my background in healthcare, human services, resource coordination, communication, and education. I had the incredible privilege of supporting the educators and staff at Maple Elementary as a sort of "COVID Mary Poppins". I helped the nurse with COVID testing and family health education, enjoyed extensive recess and lunch duty, and I even got to pinch-hit with some tutoring and small group support.

Greater Seattle Area

Seattle, Washington, United States

In this role, I supported students identified by their teachers as needing small group/1:1 time to focus on specific literacy and/or math goals. I created fun kinetic activities and engaged students in new ways to inspire and encourage them. It was a lot of fun for all of us! I also engaged families, sharing resources for how to engage and support their students at home.

Greater Seattle Area

As a temporary member of Councilmember Bagshaw’s staff during City budget season, I acted as a liaison between our office and other elected officials. Much of my time was spent on constituent engagement: answering questions about City policy and services. I worked closely with City Council Communications staff to develop effective strategies for engaging constituents and created social media and blog content. I also had the opportunity to advance Councilmember Bagshaw's budget priorities. I'm extremely proud of the public health & safety budget actions our office advanced and the collaboration between Councilmembers, staff, and the community.

Pike Place Market

Pike Market Child Care and Preschool is dedicated to making high quality care accessible to all families of all income levels. I joined PMCCP as a consultant to increase the effectiveness of direct donor requests and help generate sponsorships for events. My role also includes assistance with workplace giving, community outreach, and online fundraising.

People's Place was formed to help people leaving Nickelsville find permanent housing. I helped connect participants with donors and services. We started with the basics: stable indoor shelter, food and hygiene supplies, and medical and social service referrals. Community accountability and self-management combined with combine strong, supportive advocacy. We found permanent housing for multiple members, and overall increased members’ medical stability and progress towards personal and professional goals.

I offered pro bono support to restructure and invigorate a struggling community organization. Introduced community resource events and encouraged greater networking within social service community. Coordinated Cascade Block Party, adding a fund development and public relations focus to the event. Increased volunteer and donor bases and initiated grant research for new major funding sources.

I was responsible for all aspects of food bank and meal program administration. I worked closely with existing donors and assisted in the process of soliciting new donors and advocating for policies to preserve and increase funding for both local and statewide emergency feeding programs. I engaged clients as volunteers in the program and helped with referrals to other services, including housing and health care.

Cappy’s trains amateur boxers, including competitive athletes of all ages. I helped this well-established Central District business form a 501(c)3 nonprofit and organized a system for bookkeeping and filing tax returns. I helped expand and promote the role of this gym as a leader in social justice, public health, and public safety in the community.

I was contracted to organize all aspects of the 2007 LIHI Benefit Auction and was responsible for event promotion, vendor negotiations, and donation procurement. Our event exceeded attendance, net fundraising, and procurement totals from prior years. Expanded corporate sponsorship base and helped grow and organize individual donor database. Improved transparency and accuracy of event reporting to other departments with the agency and helped identify ways to improve future events.

Provided program support and direct client services as part of Seattle Jobs Initiative employment and training team. Worked closely with support service agencies to provide appropriate referrals for resources including childcare, housing, transportation, and more. Specific tasks included: recruiting new participants, identifying potential employers, community outreach and networking with related agencies and educational institutions.

I founded and managed successful independent midwifery practice providing full spectrum healthcare to women and their families throughout pregnancy and childbirth. My focus was to serve women and families from diverse backgrounds, particularly clients on Medicaid and uninsured individuals. I developed an extensive understanding and relationship with human service providers in greater Seattle/King County area that I continue to enjoy today.

Master'S, Special Education

Master'S, Education

Certificate Of Teaching Esl, Teaching English As A Second Or Foreign Language/Esl Language Instructor

Certificate Of Midwifery, Direct Entry Midwifery

Ba, Human Biology

General Studies, Russian

Activities and Societies: Biking in the snow, camping, hiking, drama (stage and life)