Childhood Literacy. It was Melissa’s passion and a big part of her focus as an educator.
Melissa was a life-long educator. When she was young, she would teach lessons to her stuffed animals – everyone always knew she would be a teacher. And she always was.
After graduating from St. Edwards High School in Elgin, IL, she attended Monmouth College in Monmouth, IL graduating with a BA in Education in 1999. She first taught at St. Mary’s in Lake Forest, IL, followed by Grant Academy in Chicago then Parkwood Elementary in Hanover Park, IL. Finally, when she moved to Florida in July 2012 she joined Midway Elementary in Sanford, FL.
Ever thirsty for a better way, Melissa obtained a Masters in Reading Specialty in 2008 and a second Masters in Educational Leadership in 2011 both from Aurora University.
But Melissa was more than just her résumé. She consistently had a big impact, too. When she left Parkwood to move to Florida, the faculty published the following:
“The staff of Parkwood Elementary would like to give kudos to our Instructional Coach, Melissa Vosburg. She has been a driving force and a force to reckon with this year! She has single-handedly stocked, organized, and conquered two book supply rooms and built the “Oasis”, a room designed and supplied for teachers’ professional development. She steps into our classrooms to model lessons, creates and shares lessons from our school’s curriculum, and is the lead data keeper for our secondary team, CICO, and Building Leadership Team. She uses her spare time to meet with guided groups, BOB, Safety Patrol, and students on an individual basis. As she move[s] this summer, we will miss her greatly, but we know that the force will continue to be with her.“
In Melissa’s honor, Melissa Vosburg Inc. DBA Books Build Brains has supported multiple teachers in their own endeavors to promote literacy in their classrooms
2022
10 – $500 grants were given to educators around the country.
Applicants had to respond to the following: “Describe your dream classroom library.“
2021
11 – $500 grants were given to educators around the country.
Applicants had to answer the following questions: “How are you maintaining the importance of literacy while teaching during the pandemic this year? How will this grant help achieve that?“
2019
8 – $500 grants were given to educators around the country.
Applicants had to answer the following question: “Literacy has expanded in today’s world. Information is abundant and can be obtained rapidly. How does a teacher compete with various media?“
2018
8 – $500 grants were given to educators around the country.
Applicants had to answer the following questions: “Was there a person or teacher in your life that instilled the love of reading for you? How do you try to do this with your students?“
Late 2017
8 – $500 grants were given to educators around the country.
Applicants had to answer the following questions: “What was your favorite book as a child and what is your favorite book to teach? Why?“
Early 2017
6 – $500 grants were given to educators around the country.
Applicants had to respond to the following: “Explain your passion for literacy and your plan to help your students.“
2016
4 – $500 grants were given to educators at 4 schools with a direct connection to Melissa.