During her studies, Melanie fronted two popular indie-rock bands, playing guitar, singing and writing.  She also self published a number of original comic books and collections of illustrations.  

 

Born on the Gold Coast - Australia's surfing capital, Melanie has always had a passion for travel and adventure.  After responding to a Government advertisement that read 'Looking for adventure? Teach in the

heart of Australia: Alice Springs', she packed up her guitar and hula hoop for her first year of teaching English and Drama in one of the most challenging settings in Australia.  

 

The school at which she taught in Alice Springs comprised a student population of seventy percent indigenous students. Many of these students presented with a range of challenging social issues.  "Teaching these indigenous students was one of the most challenging, humbling and rewarding experiences I have had," Melanie explains, "it reinforced to me, the importance of really connecting with students, making learning relevant and achievable for each of them and helping them to realize that schooling could be a way to a better future." 

Seeking more adventure, Melanie purchased a round-world plane ticket in 2009 and eventually landed in London, England. Here she taught at a number of challenging inner-city schools on a casual basis and travelled extensively in her spare time.   

 

She returned to Australia's tropical 'Top End' in late 2009 and taught Drama, Social Studies and English at Darwin in the Northern Territory, also known for it's challenging student demographic. 

 

From one weather extreme to another, Melanie left the tropics and set out to investigate the country she'd heard so much about: Canada, eh?  Melanie arrived in Vancouver in 2010 and taught in the West Vancouver School district before joining the King David family in September 2011.  She has a passion for social justice issues and in her spare time she enjoys reading, swimming and biking.