Melissa is the State Elementary Science/STEM Specialist. She received a Master of Arts in Teacher Education-Integrated STEM emphasis from Brigham Young University and a Ph.D. with an emphasis in Science Education from Utah State University. She has developed and facilitated professional development for elementary preservice and in-service teachers throughout the state in science, engineering, English as a second language, and language arts. Helping build the capacity of teachers to deepen student learning is her passion.