Veteran Educator Recognized as Pleasantville’s Teacher of the Year
By Janine Bowen
Pleasantville Middle School literacy and extended learning coach Melissa Brown received the surprise of her career last week.
Brown was named the Pleasantville School District’s 2014 Teacher of the Year in front of family and colleagues at the board of education’s Apr. 22 meeting.
“Three words: honored, overwhelmed and humbled,” a surprised Brown described her reaction as she accepted the honor.
Brown, a teacher in Pleasantville for 22 years, has taken on various projects and challenges throughout the district, including working on the edible garden at the high school and the extended learning symposium earlier this year.
Fellow educators referred to Brown as a teacher who not only makes a difference in the lives of her students, but inspires everybody with whom she works.
“Not only is Pleasantville Middle School a better place because of Melissa Brown, but I know that I am a better person and a better principal because I get to work [with her],” said Pleasantville Middle School Principal Vivian Ossowski.
Ossowski spoke not only as an educator but as a parent when she talked of the unique experience Brown’s students have. Ossowski’s youngest child was in Brown’s class at Bedford Road School.
Brown explained, however, that the enthusiasm she brings to the classroom is an extension of her personal thirst for knowledge. She said she is motivated by her own two children, believing that she could not handle the burden of being a working mother if she was not making a difference in the lives of other children.
In addition to receiving the Teacher of the Year Award, Brown also received several accolades from local elected officials. Pleasantville Mayor Peter Scherer presented Brown with a proclamation that declared Apr. 23, 2014, as “Melissa Brown Day” in the village.
“I am happy to come on this day every year and I don’t think I’ve ever been happier than to come this year because you, and who you are, and how you’re knit into the families that have gone through this school district…and the thousands of ways that you have helped the village with our senior programs and with everything we have asked,” Scherer said to Brown. “You have to be one of the strongest links in the chain that connects us all.”
Brown also received recognition for her dedication and accomplishments from Iris Pagan, executive director of the Youth Bureau of Westchester County, and Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s office.
County Legislator Michael Smith also recognized Brown’s service and dedication to Pleasantville schools. He presented Brown with a proclamation declaring Apr. 22 “Melissa Brown Day” in Westchester.
“There’s not many of us who don’t think that our children are the most important, special things in our lives and when we entrust our children to people like you, you make them better people and we thank you for that,” Smith said while presenting Brown with the county’s proclamation.
Despite being showered with praise and awards, Brown remained humble. Brown said she wouldn’t be successful without the support of her colleagues and family.
“I can’t take all these accolades because each and every day I am surrounded by amazing people; the people I work with, my family, my children and I am only as good as they are,” she said. “I offer all of this to you, the people I spend my days with.”
Adam has worked in the local news industry for the past two decades in Westchester County and the broader Hudson Valley. Read more from Adam’s author bio here.
