Melanie Thiesse Email & Phone Number

Dayton, Oh, Us

Dayton, Ohio, United States

• Oversees all aspects of AMS school accreditation including commission coordination, cooperative agency relations, processes, school quality initiatives, and advocacy and recognition• Oversees all aspects of AMS school and individual memberships including benefits & resources, membership growth & retention, and member relations

• Understanding Montessori within the Context of Environmental Rating Scales. ERS National Conference 2021 (virtual), 2018 San Diego, CA• Classroom Observation. AMS China 2019. Shanghai, China• Keynote: Strengthening Practice through Reflection. TIME Annual Conference 2019. Dallas, TX• Integrating Makerspaces into Montessori Classrooms. American Montessori Society Annual Conference in Denver, CO. March 2018• Going Out: Expanding the Classroom for Small Groups. Presented at the American Montessori Society Annual Conference in San Diego, CA. March 2017 and the NJMAC Conference March 2017• Observing and Recording Classroom Behavior. Presented at the New Jersey Montessori Association Corporation (NJMAC) Annual Conference, Edison, NJ. March 2016• Toddlers and Play. Presented at The Malvern School. Erial, NJ. September 2015• Assistant Teacher Training. Presented at The Westmont Montessori School. Mendham, NJ. August 2015, 2016, 2017• Practical Life Collaboration Session. Presented at the NJMAC Annual Conference, Edison, NJ. March 2014

Mendham, Nj

• Led state efforts to obtain recognition through the state QRIS program including work to have credentials valued as equivalent to state certification, aligning Montessori curriculum to NJ standards, and working with leaders to revise ECERS/ITERS requirements for Montessori schools• Chaired Steering Committee and led accreditation team for dual reaccreditation with the American Montessori Society and the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools• Provided Professional Development to staff on an annual basis which included training in Montessori curriculum, positive guidance and discipline, Environmental Rating Scales (ECERS/ITERS), developmental screening tools, and assistant and new staff training• Worked with the head of school and classroom teachers to meet the curriculum goals outlined in the five-year strategic plan• Evaluated school curriculum and methods of assessing and reporting learner outcomes• Provided information to parents and community members regarding school curriculum in the form of workshops and personal communication• Led technology changes including the implementation of the use of social media, designing and updating the school website, and working with SEO company to optimize online school presence

Princeton, Nj

Taught MATH 596/Concepts and Methods of Teaching Math in Elementary Grades (3 cr.)

Lebanon, Nj

• Conducted Action Research titled, The Effect of Teacher Communication on Parent Relationships, in which data was collected and analyzed from all school teachers and parents to determine the most effective frequency and type of communication• Planned, budgeted, and chaperoned student trips to the Montessori Model United Nations and to Washington, DC where students presented environmental position papers to their U.S. Congressmen

Phoenix, Az

• Developed program curricula• Organized and managed staff meetings and conducted staff training• Ensured all programs complied with state licensing requirements

Phoenix, Az

• Planned, budgeted, and chaperoned student trips to Costa Rica and England• Participated in writing the school charter which added the ninth grade to the program• Sponsored the student yearbook committee, fundraising, and volunteer efforts• Wrote and received three grants which paid for our extensive adolescent drama curriculum• Organized co-curricular activities for middle school students such as a computer science class at South Mountain Community College • Chaired the sixth grade business for three years• Planned, budgeted, and chaperoned major trips for all upper elementary classes including trips to Washington DC, Williamsburg, VA, Catalina Island, CA, Zion, UT, Tucson, AZ and Flagstaff, AZ

Morrisville, Nc

• Participated in the development of a 6-9 curriculum correlation between North Carolina’s Standard Course of Study and the Montessori curriculum

Phoenix, Az

• Wrote and received a grant enabling all upper elementary and middle school classes to take a 4-day camping trip to the Grand Canyon• Technology committee member

Glendale, Az

Phoenix, Arizona, United States