Hello! I'm Melanie Peterson, one of the LRC teachers here at NSE. My teaching journey began at Michigan State University where I planned on going into an animal related field. I spent two years volunteering with blind students and enjoyed working with the children so much I changed my major to Elementary and Special Education. I'm certified to teach Elementary K-8 and Special Education K-12. I went on to get a Master's Degree in Early Childhood Education from Oakland University. Before my children were born I was also working on another Bachelor's Degree in Sign Language Studies from Madonna University. I taught special education for Waterford Schools for 14 years before taking some time off to raise my sons. When I came back to teaching I substitute taught for three years, one of them being here at NSE. Last year, I taught preschool at Clarkston High School where I worked with both the preschoolers and the high school students. I also taught here at NSE in the afternoons last fall. I'm happy to be back here full time. I am married to Eric, a CHS graduate, and we have three boys. Our two oldest sons are CHS graduates who currently attend Western Michigan University. Our youngest son is a 11th grader at CHS. We live here in Clarkston on 6 acres where we have chickens, goats, rabbits and assorted other pets. I am also the Daily Events Director for the Oakland County Fair where I'm in charge of all of the children's activities and events in the pavilion. Kids and "critters", have been a large part of my entire adult life. In my spare time I love to read, garden, craft, lift weights and enjoy all of our pets.