SPRINGFIELD, PA, February 28, 2022 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Ms. Melanie Solano has been included in Marquis Who's Who. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.
Ms. Solano knew from an early age that she wanted to become a teacher. After working with children in different capacities throughout middle school and high school, she chose to attend college at Saint Joseph's University (SJU) with the majors of elementary (K-6) and special (N-21) education. She was a triple minor in English, Autism Studies, and Faith-Justice Studies. Throughout her time at SJU, Ms. Solano worked as an academic tutor at the Learning Resource Center, and as a Writing Fellow at the Writing Center. Additionally, Ms. Solano served as a Resident Assistant for the Office of Residence Life and held leadership roles in many education-based societies such as Kappa Delta Pi, the education honor society, and the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC). She also served as a Weekly Service Coordinator for the after-school program at GESU, a Catholic school in Northern Philadelphia. Ms. Solano credits that program, as well as her multiple field placements throughout the School District of Philadelphia and the nearby suburbs, for teaching her solidarity and a renewed understanding of empathy for others. During May of her junior year, Ms. Solano traveled to South America through the Semester at Sea program. Ms. Solano was able to visit a Peruvian elementary school, and to learn more about the differences between schooling in the United States, versus around the world. These experiences encouraged Ms. Solano to become a board member for Alpha Sigma Nu, the honor society of Jesuit Universities.
After having a split student teaching placement in the School District of Haverford Township, Ms. Solano decided to enroll in SJU's one-year graduate Master's program directly after finishing her undergraduate degree. While working towards her Master's and certifications as an ELL program specialist, reading specialist, and Wilson Level-One teacher, Ms. Solano also held a position as a graduate assistant for SJU Education professors, and served as a per diem substitute teacher for both Springfield School District and the School District of Haverford Township. Ms. Solano credits her graduate program towards making her a better teacher in the areas of reading and writing instruction. Her graduate cohort was eager to learn and joined the local chapter of Alpha Upsilon Alpha, the honor society of the International Literacy Association. In spring of 2014, they hosted a conference at SJU, featuring keynote speaker Richard Allington.
Upon graduation, Ms. Solano accepted a full-time, contracted teaching position with Coatesville Area School District (CASD) at Rainbow Elementary School. There she taught in a diverse, inclusive kindergarten classroom for three years. During this time, she served on the district's Curriculum Committee and wrote the new math curriculum for kindergartens throughout the district. Ms. Solano also served as a Title One Academic tutor and was extremely involved in the school's PTA after-school events. Ms. Solano loved her time in Coatesville and still keeps in touch with her colleagues and students from that position. She credits them for making her a better teacher.
In 2017, Ms. Solano left CASD to become a second-grade teacher in Springfield School District, Delaware County. She continues to remain active in school events and programs. Ms. Solano often hosts an after-school club, and served as Second-Grade Team Leader when a colleague was on maternity leave. Outside of school, Ms. Solano is a first-grade PREP catechist at Saint Matthias Parish, and recently received the Saint Pius X award for 10 years of service. In the summer she often works for Easter Seals of Southeastern PA as an ESY teacher for various school districts in the area. Ms. Solano is a board member of KSLA DC, the Keystone State Literacy Association, Delaware County.
Ms. Solano holds 11 PA teaching certifications— one of which is a Library Media Specialist certification for grades K-12. With this certification, Ms. Solano is able to hold an extra-duty position as the librarian for the district's five schools. Ms. Solano is very proud of her work in these schools so far. The past few summers, she has worked with a team of dedicated professionals to weed and organize each library. Ms. Solano first became interested in library science after volunteering at Ludington Library's Junior Room when she was thirteen years old. Ms. Solano was hired as a page when she became fourteen, and still works at Ludington part-time as an alternate to the regular staff. Ms. Solano takes her role as LMC Curriculum Coordinator very seriously and is a member of PLSA, the Pennsylvania School Librarians Association, to stay up-to-date on current library trends.
In 2018, Ms. Solano enrolled in West Chester University (WCU) to pursue a certificate in Educational Technology. After completing the program, Ms. Solano went into WCU's Ed.D. program in Policy, Planning, and Administration. Her research focuses on the area of parent-teacher communication modes and she will be defending her dissertation this spring. Upon graduation from the program, Ms. Solano hopes to publish an article on her research, and to eventually teach college courses for undergraduate education majors after school. Ms. Solano reflects that some of her best professors were current teachers who were able to share correlations between the textbook readings and their current classroom experiences. Ms. Solano hopes to provide that same experience for students in the future.
Ms. Solano credits her parents, Judge Carl and Nancy Solano, as well as her sister Carla Solano, for helping her achieve her success and believing in her throughout all of her endeavors. She also commends her fiancé, Matthew Parsons, for his encouragement and optimism throughout her doctoral program. She states that without his constant support, she would not be the person she is today. Ms. Solano and Mr. Parsons are planning their wedding for summer of 2023.
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