Melinda Otwinowski

State:

Indiana

PLS courses I teach:

• Purposeful Learning Through Multiple Intelligences®
• Meaningful Activities to Generate Interesting Classrooms™

Years with PLS:

Started in 2004

Why I love teaching PLS courses:

I believe the courses are very valuable for teachers because they give them the opportunity to easily apply course strategies directly into their own classrooms. Also, the interactive nature of each course keeps teachers energized and motivated.

Education:

• BA Elementary Education, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN
• MS Education/Counseling, Indiana University, South Bend, IN

Teaching experience:

• Elementary Counselor — 2 years
• 5th Grade-All subjects — 14 years
• 5th Grade Summer Academy — 5 years
• 1st/2nd Grade Summer Enrichment — 3 years
• 4th/5th Grade Summer Enrichment — 5 years

Related experience, recognition, awards, etc.:

• Walmart Teacher of the Year for Northwest Indiana 2003
• Project "e" Excellence in Education Award Semi Finalist 2000
• Who's Who Among America's Teachers 1996, 2000, 2004

What I love most about teaching:

I love to see the smiles on the faces of students when they finally "get it"! I love the power of the possibility of every new day.

My favorite moment in teaching:

I recently received a letter from a former student who is now a seventh grader. His comments reminded me of why I teach. He said, "I will always remember what you taught me. You made me realize that I can do anything if I believe in myself. My mom says that is the most tear jerking, honest, and truthful statement that she has ever heard."

Personal information:

I am a Boilermaker football and basketball fan. I play the piano. I love to go to the movies. I love spending time with my family.