Meet Mrs. Perkins.... Parents Version (although the Student Version is telling as well...)
Hey y'all! Let me introduce myself... I am Melissa Perkins. This is my Sixth year at North Junior High. I had been a teacher at Glenwood Leadership Academy (both when it was Glenwood Middle School and GLA) since 2003, but have been teaching in some capacity in the EVSC since 2001, including at Plaza Park & McGary. I wasn't an education major the first time I graduated college (see below), but a turn of events in my other career led me back to college where I earned my Master's Degree and received my teaching license.
I have taught various versions of what I will this year. This year I will be teaching only 8th grade U.S. Studies, which is my preferred name of the more common "social studies". I did this because the way students learned "social studies" in the past was obsolete. We use technology 80% of the time, and you will be using 21st century skills to think and research for yourselves. Gone are the days of lectures and reading out of a textbook for all things history, although sometimes they are useful, as well as are notebooks and actual writing utensils. I think they will enjoy it so much more. With the privilege of having all of this technology, comes a bigger responsibility to monitor their technology. We will work on this =)
I grew up in Evansville, with the exception of nine months in Pottstown, Pennsylvania when I was 5, and four months in England during my college years. I attended Oak Hill School for Kindergarten, St. Theresa Catholic School from 1st-8th grade, and Reitz Memorial High School, graduating in 1993. I attended the University of Evansville, graduating in 1997 with a Bachelor of Science in Political Science and a minor in History. While at U of E, I got the wonderful opportunity to study abroad in Grantham, England at Harlaxton College. After I graduated, I was promoted to Assistant Manager at the Limited Too (now Justice), where I had worked during college. I was promoted to a store in Indianapolis, worked at all of the Indy stores, and was given my own store to run in Greenwood, IN. When I decided I was interested in a different career, I moved back to Evansville, began substituting "full-time" for two years while I attended Oakland City University. I earned my Master's in the Art of Teaching Degree in 2002, and qualified for my teaching license. The rest, as they say, is history.
I have been married to my husband Matt for 16 years, and we have an 15 year old daughter, Meredith. We live in the North district (where I grew up) just about a mile past the airport. I love to read (my Kindle app is constantly used), I'm obsessed with technology (just ask anyone who knows me), and I spend my "spare" time running my daughter to swim practice or softball. I also spend an incredible amount of time planning my lessons, and getting things ready. Not relying solely on a textbook is fantastic, but requires a lot of work! It is worth it though.
I have taught various versions of what I will this year. This year I will be teaching only 8th grade U.S. Studies, which is my preferred name of the more common "social studies". I did this because the way students learned "social studies" in the past was obsolete. We use technology 80% of the time, and you will be using 21st century skills to think and research for yourselves. Gone are the days of lectures and reading out of a textbook for all things history, although sometimes they are useful, as well as are notebooks and actual writing utensils. I think they will enjoy it so much more. With the privilege of having all of this technology, comes a bigger responsibility to monitor their technology. We will work on this =)
I grew up in Evansville, with the exception of nine months in Pottstown, Pennsylvania when I was 5, and four months in England during my college years. I attended Oak Hill School for Kindergarten, St. Theresa Catholic School from 1st-8th grade, and Reitz Memorial High School, graduating in 1993. I attended the University of Evansville, graduating in 1997 with a Bachelor of Science in Political Science and a minor in History. While at U of E, I got the wonderful opportunity to study abroad in Grantham, England at Harlaxton College. After I graduated, I was promoted to Assistant Manager at the Limited Too (now Justice), where I had worked during college. I was promoted to a store in Indianapolis, worked at all of the Indy stores, and was given my own store to run in Greenwood, IN. When I decided I was interested in a different career, I moved back to Evansville, began substituting "full-time" for two years while I attended Oakland City University. I earned my Master's in the Art of Teaching Degree in 2002, and qualified for my teaching license. The rest, as they say, is history.
I have been married to my husband Matt for 16 years, and we have an 15 year old daughter, Meredith. We live in the North district (where I grew up) just about a mile past the airport. I love to read (my Kindle app is constantly used), I'm obsessed with technology (just ask anyone who knows me), and I spend my "spare" time running my daughter to swim practice or softball. I also spend an incredible amount of time planning my lessons, and getting things ready. Not relying solely on a textbook is fantastic, but requires a lot of work! It is worth it though.
My classroom is like my Home away from Home. I have put a lot of love into creating a space for your kids!
email: melissa.perkins@evsck12.com
email: melissa.perkins@evsck12.com