Episode #138: Engaging Inclusive Environments While Empowering Learners with Melisa Hayes

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Melisa Hayes, a 2nd-grade teacher at Hilliard City Schools in Ohio, knows how to engage kids in project-based learning so they build confidence in themselves. Melisa is a two-time cancer survivor, ambassador for Flip, Night Zookeeper, and Wakelet, Global teacher of 2020, Teach Better Ambassador, and shares amazing projects with educators worldwide. 

Your WHY

My WHY has never changed but evolved more and more each year. I am extremely passionate about inclusion. I feel every child no matter the age or ability must be included within their classroom family. This includes projects, hall displays, and more. It’s our job to make sure every family member feels loved and successful within their family. I also am very passionate about engagement and making memories. It is my job to make each year the most memorable for each of my kids. A child’s enthusiasm and laughter are the best gifts a teacher can ever have! It’s the most rewarding. Knowing our kids are loved, feeling successful and belonging is so essential. I want to know that if my kids had a choice whether to come to school or not they wouldn’t even hesitate. They would be so elated and curious as to what we would be learning each day.   

What it was like growing up

I grew up in a rural community where everyone knew everyone, doors were never locked and we had one gas station. I walked to elementary school which was K-5. Back then (yes, I’m that old) you were constantly in your seat, and the learning was directed by the teacher. There were worksheets and little to no collaboration. As a learner, I struggled and was even in title reading. I wasn’t thrilled with school but loved the sports: basketball, softball, and kickball at recess:) I was a vocal learner who always had something to say which is why in 1st grade I was constantly told to go to my corner. Yep, I had my corner since I was unable to work quietly. It wasn’t until 3rd grade with Mrs. Evans that my learning changed and I started to like school.  I felt heard and that my voice mattered. It was then that I was introduced to collaboration, engagement, and projects. Mrs. Evans was so creative and made school memorable. From that moment on I knew I wanted to change the school narrative and be the type of teacher that pushed the boundaries.

Loving life even with challenges

I am a firm believer that everything happens for a reason, the good & the bad. It all started about 5 years ago, in 2018 when I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I had a lumpectomy and radiation.  During radiation, they found a lump in my thyroid.  Due to all that was going on, I put that on the back burner.  My breast cancer was estrogen-based so I took Tamoxifen.  Due to the Tamoxifen, I found out I had precancerous cells in my cervix so they recommended having a hysterectomy which I had in 2019..  Then in 2021, I had surgery on my thyroid and it was indeed thyroid cancer.  They removed the whole thyroid.  I never take a day or second for granted.  

I LOVE life and my favorite quote is
“Life is better, when you’re laughing†author unknown.

Your Family

I’ve been happily married to my husband, Daniel for 23 years.  We have 2 beautiful daughters.  Madison (Maddy) will be 20 in February and is a sophomore at Ohio University majoring in social work. Abigail (Abby)  is 15 and a freshman in high school. Abby has Down Syndrome which doesn’t DEFINE her.  She is smart, sassy, and gorgeous with a hilarious sense of humor.  I am even more passionate about inclusion and sharing her story that kids with DS are so much more than their diagnoses. Lately, I’m extremely close with my mom and dad.  I also have 2 brothers who I adore to annoy:) 

Becoming a Teacher

I have always wanted to be a teacher. I think Mrs. Evans ignited a fire in me that has yet to be extinguished. I have taught for over 20 years and each year still feels like my first. I still get nervous and excited. I couldn’t imagine having a more rewarding profession! I even remember being in the surgeon’s office scheduling my lumpectomy for my breast cancer and asking him to wait a month because I wanted to meet my kids, get to know them, and start the year off getting to know my family. It is the BEST profession.

Cinderella STEM Activity

Sharing Kids Projects

Projects my kids and I love to do are mystery zooms: where kids zoom all over the world with amazing people and guess their state or country; genius hour: passion projects that they present throughout the year, classroom transformations: weather – reporting the weather where they live by using Flip and Twitter gain temps all around the globe.  They gather this data and graph it using the numbers app, Student-Led Conferences, and Vet clinic – Kids bring in stuffy and each is a vet that provides a service for the other’s stuffed ANIMAL

Vet Clinic Project

They treat and then give the bill where the other pays and lastly the customer fills out a customer survey on Flip to share how the vet did during the visit., 100 GLOW  day review of our 100 days of school, Super Bowl, breakouts, STEAM, fashion show focusing on descriptive writing, Reader’s Theater, Animal research, Kindness Projects: holiday, World Kindness Day, Kindness Project, & more…)

World Kindness Day

Fashion Show “Project Runwayâ€

#Zoomsnaps

Creator #Zoomsnaps  During the zoom we learn all about our guests or class of friends.  Kids ask questions and guess their state or country then ask questions to get to know the guest as well as the state. Next,  I picked 2 kids to google pics of the facts we learned for example: California is known for Disney so they google Disney and get a pic.  After that, they use the app PicCollage & showcase pics of the state or country. They also showcase our class pic with the guests. Finally, they add the #zoomsnaps to the PicCollage.  We have them all on a Wakelet. It’s great for kids who can’t remember the zoom or what the state was known for.  What gives you energy, shows you that you can make learning fun.

Mystery Zoom and #Zoomsnaps

What’s Next

I continue to make memories with my 2nd graders, co-presenting with my BFF at ISTE, and also hoping to present at other Conferences in the future. My book ABBS launched in Fall 2023.

Meet Abbs, a rainbow-born square who tries to change who she is to please others. Read this interactive story that promotes celebrating differences, being true to yourself, and loving who you are born to be! Abbs is a rainbow born with Down Syndrome with unique Ability and is Brave, Beautiful, and Smart. My book, ABBS  is available on Amazon at https://amzn.to/47rCXUW

Melisa’s Contact Information

Twitter: @MrsHayesFam
Facebook: melisa.hayes.925
Instagram: melisa.6782

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Hope you enjoyed the conversation with Melisa Hayes on my virtual porch!  Please share with your friends this post which Melisa helped create that includes her why, loads of stories, classroom projects with her awesome 2nd-graders, and tips.