Today we’d like to introduce you to Melissa Merendino.
Hi Melissa, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Hi there! My name is Melissa Merendino. I am an artist and an art teacher in Gilbert. I taught public school for over 20 years and loved teaching. I chose to walk away from teaching school in November 2019. I was very frustrated with the education system and the inequity that I experienced daily. I could not be a part of it any longer.
A former parent reached out to me on social media and asked if I would offer private lessons. I agreed and began tutoring and teaching private and small-group art sessions.
I quickly fell back into my teaching routine, only I was teaching in my art studio at home, creating my own lessons, and building wonderful relationships with students and parents. I teach all forms of visual art and ceramics. I enjoy exploring all different mediums and sharing my passion with others. I learn new things every day, and my students keep me young and full of life!
My website is www.createwithmsm.com
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I think the only struggle was leaving public school. That was all I knew. I loved it, and I was excellent at it. I believed in public education and the importance of art in education. Deciding to leave was very difficult, but I just had to do it. I knew I couldn’t change the education system, but I knew I could provide a superior creative experience for my students.
Now, I can treat students equally and make sure all my students are provided with the best experience, I can give them.
I am committed to fostering the success of every learner I have the pleasure of working with. I prioritize personal engagement for every student, and my approach ensures no student is overlooked. My methods are tailored to meet the unique needs of every individual I work with. I believe in recognizing the unique strengths that every student brings to the table, and I enjoy creating a learning environment that allows students to feel seen, safe, and supported. This reflects how my students treat one another as well.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I teach art and ceramics. My website is www.createwithmsm.com
I specialize in teaching children of all ages and abilities with kindness and fairness. I love having a personal touch with my students. It is important to me to focus on their individual needs and creative curiosity while building their confidence. I like my students to have so much fun that they have no idea they are learning.
With all the technology and advancements we have, it is absolutely amazing and mind-blowing to watch students actually create things with their hands and see them light up. Children need to play, they need to learn by experimenting, making mistakes, and having success.
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
I am not a risk taker. I thrive on consistency. I would love to be more of a risk-taker as far as business and decisions. I believe in trying different things slowly, so I can really understand what works and what does not work. If I change too many variables, then I would not know which part made it more successful.
The decision to leave public school was a huge risk, and it was scary, but I knew I could not be part of that system any longer. I needed to make a change; I had too much passion, talent, love, and integrity to stay.
Pricing:
- Group Art Classes are $20 for two hours
- Private Art Sessions are $120 for two hours
- Group Pottery Classes range from $65-$75 per session
- I am a vendor on ESA
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.createwithmsm.com
