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TEACHER HERO:
JACQUELINE MELNICK
by Nancy Nickerson
 Jacqueline Melnick is a Holyoke, Massachusetts music teacher who started Musicorda in 1987 with her husband, Terry. Musicorda, a six-week summer program for high school and college age musicians, was a great success, and so in 1992, Melnick co-founded The Children's String
Workshop, an extension of Musicorda for younger children, many of whom had never before had any musical instruction.
The core of the program is the summer school, which culminates in a recital for the
community. In building the workshop, Melnick used as the model Roberta Guaspari-Tzavaras' music teaching program in East Harlem. However, without Melnick's hard work and dedication, the children could not have gotten such an opportunity to develop their musical talents.
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"Thank you for everything," says Jose, one of many talented children who has participated in the program. In addition to the
daily summer classes, they have their instrument rental and training donated so that
they can continue their lessons throughout the school year. They really appreciate
this unique program and they take their lessons very seriously.
"Thank you for supporting us, and for giving us the opportunity and the money for
our trips and our violins," said Jazmin. She is one of many students who has gone
on to an advanced music school but who will never forget the start Melnick gave her.
We asked Jackie if she could name her hero. "That's easy," she said, "|
Written by
Nancy Nickerson
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Musicorda Jackie Melnick's inspired program for bringing music to kids Voices of Youth Voices of Youth is a forum for teachers and students. Global SchoolNet Foundation The Global SchoolNet Foundation links school kids around the world. Giraffe Project The Giraffe Project features those who "stick their necks out" for the common good. |
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| Ana Eugenia Posada is a dedicated teacher who provides help and support to children with learning difficulties. | Andrew Greene Jr. of Sierra Leone teaches the world about peace. | Annie Mansfield Sullivan Macy developed new methods for teaching blind and deaf students. | Atsuko Shiwaku set up the International Intercultural Mural Exchange Project to promote peaceful coexistence. |
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| Baba Coleman is a drumming teacher who instills self-determination in his students. | Barry Guillot is a middle school teacher who makes science come to life through service-learning. | Barry Kramer empowers students to ask questions and find answers through Learning Circles, a telecollaborative learning experience. | Bill Belsey is a teacher with a mission to stop bullying. |
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| Cheikh Darou Seck is an English teacher in Senegal who inspires his students to become MY HERO reporters. | Christa McAuliffe was the first teacher to fly in space. | Domingo F. Sarmiento was a distinguished educator and president of Argentina. | Dr. Ed Gragert works towards peace and global education. |
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| Dr. H. Arief Rahman is admired by his students for the way he speaks his mind and encourages them in their studies. | Dr. Norman Isaacs is an inspiration to the staff and students at Millikan Middle School. | Dr. Robert Ballard and the JASON project bring scientific exploration to children around the world. | Eeva Reeder is passionate about teamwork and hands-on, real-life applications of abstract mathematical concepts. |
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| Emi Yuliaty encourages her students to believe that where there is a will there is a way. | Erin Gruwell is the founder of Freedom Writers and an inspiration to teachers and students around the world. | Eva La Mar uses visual learning and communication tools to deepen understanding of geography, geology and local history. | Film Festival 2005 Teacher Award Get a Clue Carol Anne McGuire teaches visually impaired children and founded Rock Our World. |
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| Gary Birch is a compassionate educator and role model to his students. | Geeta Malik is a media arts educator for The MY HERO Project. | George N. Parks inspires his band students to do their best and have fun with music. | Georgiana Munteanu, My English Teacher inspires her students to believe in themselves and to love and respect nature. |
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| Giuseppe Fortunati is a computer teacher from Italy who uses the Internet to promote cultural exchanges. | Hero Teachers of a Dyslexic is a personal story that seeks to guide and encourage students who learn differently. | Herschel Vaughn conducts an after-school program that teaches music, discipline, and friendship. | Jacqueline Melnick is a music teacher. |
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| James Burke developed a model of discovery called the Knowledge Web to connect information across space and time. | Jason Wilcox was a teacher at Glenmore Christian Academy. | Jason XV: Teacher Argonauts Eight talented teachers from the US and Bermuda took part in Jason XV: Rainforests at the Crossroads in Panama. | Jesse Thyne was a generous soul with a passion for teaching. |
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| Judy Warner worked to create a public high school for technology. | Laurel Schmidt encourages her fifth graders to get involved. | Louis Braille invented a system of writing and reading used by blind people all over the world. | Luisa Orellana is an English as a second language teacher who inspires her students to reach for their dreams. |
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| Mali Bickley uses technology to help her students connect with their peers around the world to build empathy and tolerance. | Marco Torres helps students empower themselves through the mastery of multimedia. | Maria Montessori developed a new approach to education. | Marsha Goren is much beloved by her students for her genuine commitment to them. |
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| Martha Mecartney is a scientist, engineer and professor committed to helping young women interested in the field of science. | Mary Lyon established the U.S.'s first college for women. | Mary McLeod Bethune used education to help in the fight for racial and gender equality. | Mel Levine believes that students who understand their learning styles are better equipped for success. |
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| Mia Siscawati teaches people to protect their environment. | Mirian Acosta-Sing piloted a project to provide every student and teacher at Mott Hall School with a laptop. | Mrs. Linda Klepper has changed the lives of many young children as a second grade teacher. | Mrs. Magdalena Domniteanu is a hero for her patience and ability to inspire her students with a love for learning. |
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| Mrs. Mignosa is a hero to Caitlin because she helps her with her studies after school. | Mustapha Louznadji is an Algerian educator who leads by example and who brings out the best in his students and colleagues. | Pat Bolanos founded Key Learning Community to cultivate multiple intelligences. | Peggy Bryan emphasizes teacher support, parental and community involvement in the classroom. |
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| Phil Layne gives encouragement, hope, and a helping hand to his students. | Raden Ajeng Kartini championed education and civil rights for women in Indonesia. | Ranald MacDonald was a Native American/Scot wayfarer who helped open up Japan to the West. | Randy Randall exhibits strength, courage, and integrity to his students. |
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| Robert Moses founded The Algebra Project, which is committed to teaching math literacy. | Roberta Guaspari-Tzavaras uses music to inspire children to learn. | Rowena Gerber and her students raise money to send Solar Ovens around the world. | Ruth Simmons is breaking down barriers in the world of higher education. |
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| Ruty Hotzen inspires students from around the world through Talking Kites, iEARN. | Sadie Dunn is an inspiring role model as a teacher and great-grandmother. | September McGee is an artist and a teacher. | Sequoyah invented the Cherokee alphabet, which enabled Cherokees to record their history. |
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| Shannon Arnett impacts her students with her love and excitement for learning. | Stephanie Joukoff coaches synchronized swimming and is a hero to Emily. | Susan Elizabeth Blow founded the first public kindergarten school in America. | Tommie Hamaluba is a teacher in Botswana, Africa working to eradicate malaria. |
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| Tony Bencivenga stresses the importance of social and emotional learning experiences. | Valentina Mindoljevic is a science teacher who helped to provide aid to women and child refugees in Croatia. | Viola Vaughn founded an organization that supports girls working to achieve academic success in Africa. | Wendy Jewell is a passionate MY HERO educator, writer and Learning Circle facilitator. |
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| Wendy Milette is a visionary filmmaker and educator. |
Last changed on:6/24/2007 3:27:22 AM
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