Melaine Rickard
District 5 Director - Melaine Rickard
Biographical Information
Melaine is a veteran middle school teacher who recently retired from the Alamance Burlington School System after thirty years of service. For two of those years, she served as the district K-12 STEM specialist. Since retirement Melaine has continued to be involved with science education through work as an adjunct instructor at Elon University, teaching elementary science methods and supervising student teachers. Melaine also works with the science focused non-profit, Center for Inquiry Based Learning, as a Teacher and Resource specialist. Her role there focuses on developing inquiry-based, hands on curricula and delivering professional development on these materials to teachers throughout NC.
Melaine holds a bachelor's degree from Elon University in middle grades education, M.Ed. from UNC in K-8 science, and National Board Certification in early adolescent science. She is honored to have been selected as a Kenan Fellow, Burroughs Wellcome Career Award for Science and Math Teachers recipient, and as winner of NCSTA's Distinguished Service Award. One of her passions is Science Olympiad; she serves as the elementary tournament director for Alamance County.
Melaine lives in Burlington with her husband and pets. She spends her free time running, reading, and tending a newly planted rose garden.
Mission Statement
As a candidate for District 5 Director, my priorities are engaging and growing membership of NCSTA. The organization has so many resources to support the efforts of science teachers that I would like to highlight and encourage members to utilize. The organization also benefits from its members. That’s why it’s imperative to encourage all science educators in District 5 to join.
