MELISSA BASCOME

SECOND GRADE TEACHER

Melissa Bascome was born and raised in Staten Island, New York. As a high school student, Melissa was an active member of her school’s Council for Unity chapter where she organized and participated in many community service events such as blood drives and food collections. Due to her work with Council for Unity, Melissa was honored as the New York City recipient of the Humanitarian of the Year award during her senior year. Melissa also spent many of her summers throughout high school working as a summer camp counselor and volunteering for programs that support young children academically and socially.

Upon graduating high school, Melissa went on to SUNY Old Westbury in Long Island where she studied English and Education as well as spent time volunteering in the campus day care center. Melissa later transferred to CUNY Hunter College to be closer to family and graduated with her Bachelor’s in English. Upon graduation, Melissa was awarded the Madeline O’Sullivan Class of 1928 Fellowship Award to assist her in following her dream of becoming an educator. She immediately enrolled in CUNY Hunter’s Early Childhood Education graduate studies program where she maintained high honors. Throughout her time at Hunter, Melissa had the privilege of working with a wide range of children from various backgrounds and with varying needs.

Melissa joined PS 527 in September of 2015 as a student teacher in a first grade classroom. Through kindness and encouragement, Melissa learned valuable lessons to becoming an impactful teacher. Upon graduating with a Master’s in Early Childhood Education, Melissa was extended an offer for a substitute teaching position at PS 527. Melissa then spent the next two school years as an assistant teacher in first grade and then in kindergarten before becoming a first grade head teacher. Melissa is excited for the new experiences and opportunities this year has to offer as she joins the second grade team.