why Nerissa Darvin, age 24, is
Shelly Lewis, her own 5th grade
math teacher at Hilltop, had made
a stunning impression and ignited
her interest in pursuing a career in
education.
stayed in touch with her after
graduation. When Shelly revealed to
Nerissa that she would be retiring at
the end of the 2014-15 school year,
Nerissa did not hesitate to begin the
application process for the position.
tremendous conviction.
she was very happy, loved the
weather and really wasn't looking
for another opportunity. But then
her plans changed.
started crying! I became emotional
because I felt it would be so in-
credible to come back and replace
the person who made me want to
teach. But it was so embarrassing!
I thought I blew it. Then I called my
mom and started bawling again
when I told her what happened."
Superintendent) Robert Hardis,
asking about the number of hours
she had completed toward her
Master's degree, which she will earn
in about a year from Cleveland State
University. After her reply, the drama
reached a climax when he requested
her email address to send her an
"intent to hire" document.
everyone!"
many emails and text messages
from teachers who were welcom-
ing her to the staff.
on the yearbook staff and graduat-
ed magna cum laude. "I worked my
tail off."
into it," she adds in her characteristi-
cally enthusiastic manner.
earned a B.S. in elementary educa-
tion and graduated summa cum
laude. Before her departure, though,
she describes having a deep-felt
attachment to this community.
were nervous that they would get
picked as `the most likely to return
to Beachwood.' I didn't get it, and
I wasn't sure then where I would
end up, but I did always know that
Beachwood was my long-term goal."
tionship with her former teachers to
be "exciting, yet strange." Most cum-
bersome, of course, is addressing
them by their first names.
school year, she happily introduced
them to her personal history with
Beachwood. She told them that
she has vivid memories of her time
in Hilltop's halls, but some of her
favorite recollections relate to the
start of school.
assignments," she says. "I was so into
school."
now reaping the rewards.
age 25, learned while at-
definitely be a teacher.
but she gained greater confi-
dence in that choice through
hands-on experience acquired
by enrolling in the Excel TECC
program, a unique offering with
several different concentrations,
early childhood education being
one of them. The program is de-
signed to help students prepare
for future careers with classes
offered at area high schools. Fair-
mount's Early Childhood Center
houses the program in which
Melissa participated.
learning fun," she explains. With
her classroom at Bryden filled
with 22 first graders, she believes
she's achieving her goals. She
explains how elementary school
provides the major building
blocks for the future, so she sees
her mission as helping to create
Jewish Day School (the former Agnon School) for two years. And she
filled the past 10 summers with work at the JCC's Playland pre-school
camp.
Mandel Jewish Day School. By jumping right in to sports, she quickly
developed friendships, and her extra-curriculars grew to include cross
country, track and basketball.
As an elementary school teacher, she understands that one needs to be
flexible and willing to teach the grade where the needs lie.
and Dubai, among others. With such cultural range, she celebrates the
diversity with an event every Friday when a parent spends time in the
classroom telling stories and allowing students to sample native food.
classes with the balance spent learning about teaching. "The experi-
ence provides a good grasp on what it's like to be a teacher by being
around different types of students."
of an open teacher
position in Beachwood:
"You do not pass up a
dream-come-true story."