Master teacher captures national honor

• By SONYA KIMBRELL
• Ascension staff writer
• Published: May 15, 2008 - UPDATED: 12:05 a.m.

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DONALDSONVILLE — Kim Melancon believes being a successful teacher includes reflection.

“We must look at what works,” Melancon said on a recent morning as she sat in the Donaldsonville High School cafeteria.

Melancon, now a master teacher at DHS, taught math at St. Amant High School for years.

She won the Presidential Award of Excellence in Math and Science Teaching.

The award is the highest recognition that a kindergarten through 12th-grade mathematics or science teacher can receive for outstanding teaching in the United States. Enacted by Congress in 1983, this program authorizes the president to bestow up to 108 awards each year.

The award includes a trip to Washington, D.C., and a $10,000 individual award.

Melancon was the second Ascension Parish educator to receive the honor; former Oak Grove Primary teacher Michelle Blanchard won in 2002.

“Mrs. Melancon is an extraordinary teacher who has demonstrated over the years an exceptional ability to teach kids and collaborate with her colleagues to achieve the goal of continuously increasing the academic achievement of our students,” St. Amant High School Principal Steve Westbrook said. “She is very deserving of the Presidential Award of Excellence. I would say that she possesses lagniappe, that something extra, that intangible characteristic, that causes her to excel in educating young people in the classroom and all other professional endeavors.”

Westbrook nominated Melancon while she was still at St. Amant High School.

But that’s when the work begins for the nominees.

“We’re notified we’re nominated early in the school year, and then we have to put together a portfolio,” she said.

The portfolio includes a video of her teaching in the classroom and a written essay. 

It also considered professional development and leadership.