MADISON – Before working for Madison City Schools, Melissa Robertson had added classroom teacher, department chair, career-tech administrator and principal to her resume. She now serves as MCS Special Education Coordinator.

MCS’ status attracted her. “Having lived and worked in the Madison County and Huntsville area for over 20 years, I knew that Madison City Schools had a reputation of making student achievement a priority,” Robertson said. “The level of expectation for students, as well as the faculty and staff, is unmatched.”

She wanted involvement with the district. “When I learned of the Special Education Coordinator position, I knew this was going to be the perfect fit for me, as it allowed me to help our most vulnerable students while also working with an amazing group of people,” Robertson said.

In 1996, her career in education started with Brevard County Public Schools as special education teacher and department chair at Andrew Jackson Middle School in Titusville, Fla. Relocating to Madison County, Ala., she had similar responsibilities at Hazel Green High School with Madison County Schools for 11 years.

For two years, she was Assistant Principal at Madison Crossroads Elementary School. She then worked as Assistant CTE Director of Madison County Career Technical Center, followed by principalship at Meridianville Middle School.

In her teaching philosophy, Robertson believes that ALL students can learn. “It is my calling to help students work towards their potential while preparing them for life after high school. I’ve always said my greatest payoff in teaching is to see my students walk across the stage at graduation, then to also see them as contributing members of society,” she said.

“I love to run into my previous students out in the community and hear about their lives, their families and their careers,” Robertson said.

Since Robertson has been away from classroom teaching, she “has made a difference by implementing schoolwide changes concerning the culture and climate of schools (with) implementation of Professional Learning Communities, Middle Grades Coaching Pilot, as well as using my Guiding Coalition to implement behavioral strategies schoolwide.”

In addition, as CTE Assistant Director, Robertson was instrumental in increasing the number of students who earned an industry-recognized credential, preparing them “college-and-career ready.”

She grew up in Rockledge, Fla., known as the ‘Space Coast’ and home to Kennedy Space Center. At the University of Central Florida, she received a bachelor’s degree in exceptional child education and a master’s degree in exceptional education. She earned a master’s degree in instructional leadership from Samford University.

A fan of “old country music,” Robertson wants “to be someone’s ‘phone-a-friend’ on ‘Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?’” Since sixth grade, she has played flute.

“I was in high school when the Space Shuttle Challenger accident happened and looked out the windows of my history class to watch that fateful launch,” Robertson said.

In spare time, Robertson enjoys “camping in our fifth wheel, biking, hiking, gardening and cooking.”