Lifelong learner, enthusiastic teacher: Melissa Grish is River Heights Elementary School's Teacher of the Year!
Melissa Grish believes that she could teach the 3rd grade for the rest of her life. She loves the energy her students bring and she reciprocates with an energetic, upbeat attitude. Her positivity, creative lessons, grit, and passion for lifelong learning are all reasons why she is River Heights Elementary School Teacher of the Year 2020-21!
Grish’s passion for education began at a young age. She remembers her 5th-grade teacher standing up on his desk to teach about history, and since that day, she has wanted to be a teacher. A native to North Carolina, Grish came to Cache Valley because she researched and found that Utah State University had an excellent elementary education program. She fell in love with the valley and the mountains, and after graduating from USU, she decided to stay.
Grish started as a part-time art teacher at River Heights until she was offered a position as a 4th-grade teacher. After a year in that position, she took a break from teaching to have her daughter and then returned to River Heights as a 3rd-grade teacher. She is now in her sixth year of teaching 3rd grade.
Allison Adams, Grish's student teacher, appreciates Grish's support and willingness to let her try new things. "She is so good at giving me new ideas but also letting me choose my own way to do things," Adams elaborated. "Ms. Girsh is a support in and out of school, and she has been so supportive in helping me get a job. Not only that, but she cares about her students. She gets to know each student so well, and she makes them feel loved and important, and I think that's why they succeed."
Grish loves working at River Heights and appreciates the support that she feels from her colleagues. She also enjoys her place in 3rd grade since she gets to be creative with the curriculum and they always have a lot to learn and discover as a class. "I can have a tough day or wake up exhausted, but when you step through that classroom door, those kids give you energy," she described. "Their energy is contagious, they love you, and they love learning. And that's why I am here, to teach them to love learning and to be lifelong learners."
Principal Stephanie Adams believes that Grish is an expert in her field and appreciates that even when things get hard, Grish faces every trial with a smile on her face. Adams also acknowledges Grish's help in planning and directing school assemblies in fun and creative ways. "Melissa is always willing to help in every way possible to make our school a better place," Adams explained. "She is kind not only to the kids but to all those she comes in contact with daily. She is a true example of teaching and working with grit and grace. She is one in a million and we are so glad that she is here with us at River Heights."