Henrico's Top Teachers – Melanie Reardon, Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School, second grade

She didn’t like standardized testing, so she went private. And she hasn’t gone back.

Melanie Reardon teaches second grade at Our Lady of Lourdes School. She moved to Lourdes after eight years at a public school because the testing culture was too strong, she said.

“They were doing too much testing in second grade,” Reardon said. “Second-graders don’t need testing.”

Now, at Lourdes, Reardon is committed to flexible teaching and kinesthetic learning.

One of her favorite projects is a living museum project. Each student chooses a person to study and dress up as. The project spans across all history, math and reading lessons in the classroom.

“It’s very interdisciplinary, and the kids really enjoy that,” Reardon said. “It helps them remember things a lot more if they are doing something while learning it.”

One nominator explained the impact of her teaching style.

“Her interactive lesson plans captivate her students, exciting them about and teaching them to take responsibility for their own learning,” a nominator said. “You will often find Melanie giving her students hands-on projects to engage all types of learners.”

The best part about teaching, for Reardon, is when the kids get it. Ten years ago, she taught a student who was learning English. One morning, the class was reading a book and working on making connections. And the student shot her hand up. “I have a connection!” she said.

“I loved the look on her face when she understood what I was talking about,” Reardon said. “When the kids get it when I teach something, and they understand it, and they look at me, it makes you feel good.”

Reardon has brought more than just interactive lessons.

When you introduce a new idea to Lourdes, you become the automatic leader, she said. But she never stopped because of that.

Reardon introduced the Amazing Shake Program, a case scenario experience through which students participate in mock interviews and networking. She also re-introduced and currently leads the house system, which divides students into six “houses” based upon the six discipleship traits at Lourdes.

Her leadership leaves a mark on everyone at Lourdes, one nominator said.

“Her dedication is inspirational and also makes her our Teacher of the Year,” a nominator said. “We are grateful that she chooses to make Lourdes her home.”