EHHS Featured Faculty – 10 Questions with Melanie Kirin
Featured Faculty spotlights EHHS professors who share their background, experiences, interests, and advice for students.
Melanie Kirin is a lecturer of Career Technical Teacher Education in the School of Teaching, Learning and Community Studies. She also serves as an undergraduate advisor.
What subject(s) do you teach?
I teach in the Career Technical Teacher Education department helping to equip new Career Technical teachers for the amazing profession of being a “CTE” teacher. My students are outstanding and dedicated to teaching and their specialized disciplines. I get to help them inspire their own students for technical, academic, and professional success!
What inspired you to follow your chosen path of study?
My “path” of study was anything but straight. I have an undergraduate degree in business administration (marketing and management dual majors), and later in my life I pursued my educational degrees. I found opportunities to combine both loves of marketing and education in the world of Career techical education. Now, my path includes concentrations in curriculum so I am still on that path of studying.
What's one of your favorite memories from your student days?
That was a while ago, but I recall tray sledding. There was a very large hill at my undergraduate university. In the winter, we borrowed plastic trays from the dining halls, and we would sled down the hill. Why buy a sled when a tray is so fast?
What do you think every student should experience in college?
The satisfaction of taking a risk, achieving something on their own, and quietly tucking that in their personal history book. I still remember personal successes from my university days that are mine alone. Those memories make me smile.
What academic or career advice would you give to students?
Study and work hard. It might be “old school,” but I do not regret passing up a time to have fun to dedicate to my studies. Choosing to dedicate myself to excellence and make some personal sacrifices stuck with me throughout my career. This was a game-changer.
What do you enjoy most about teaching?
When my students email me and tell me the successes they are having in their own classrooms because of conversations we had while they were my students.
What is the best and most challenging thing about being a teacher? The balance between high expectations and grace. Sometimes it is very difficult to know how much to give in either direction for the good of the student (and my personal sanity).
How do you contribute to student success? I listen. For my teacher-students, every classroom is different. I enjoy going into their worlds and watching and listening, and then helping them overcome challenges to success.
What would students be surprised to learn about you?
There’s a lot I am still figuring out. When people hear the term “lifelong learner” it sounds like white noise, but in reality, I am learning something every day. Also, I have my own cowbell, and I am not afraid to use it at my children’s sporting events. Go loud or go home!
How do you show your school spirit? Oh, you’ll hear it. It’s my voice! And, professionally, it’s doing a good job day in and day out, so not only am I proud of my school, but my students are proud too!