Women of the Year – Melyssa Ferro, Caldwell School District

By Brooke Strickland

Dr. Melyssa Ferro’s heart beats for education and instilling a love of learning into minds across the Gem State. She said that she discovered her life’s calling in this field and during her sophomore year of college when she changed her major from lab science to education. She quickly realized that she would rather help inspire students to step into STEM career pathways rather than actually become a scientist herself.

She said, “Isaac Newton wrote a letter to Robert Hooke in 1675 in which he penned a quote that I hold very dear to my heart. He said, ‘If I have seen farther, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.’ Throughout my educational journey and my professional life, I have been lucky enough to have the shoulders of giants to stand on. From my middle and high school science teachers who taught me a passionate love for natural sciences and the outdoor world to my educator parents who taught me to enjoy serving others to my mentor teachers and colleagues who helped me find joy and fulfillment in creating opportunities and experiences for students, I have truly stood on the shoulders of giants.”

Today, she has the honor of letting others stand on her shoulders, as she works as a digital integration and innovation specialist for the Caldwell School District. Here, she gets to mentor new teachers and help engage traditionally underrepresented student populations in place-based and project-based STEM learning.

In a letter of recommendation for Ferro, Petya Stoyanova Johnson said, “If you get a chance to see her in the classroom, you will hear and feel the power and conviction she projects when she is teaching. She treats her students as scholars, challenges their intellectual curiosity and supports their growth through the learning process. She is in tune with the community, recognizes the struggles many of her students face – poverty, uncertainty, learning difficulties, etc. She reflects deeply and processes the world around us through a lens that considers everyone’s best interest.”

Outside of her day-to-day work, Ferro has been active in a variety of boards. She is currently a Region 8 board representative for the Idaho Education Association and as the treasurer for the Caldwell Education Association. She’s also on the education advisory council for Discovery Center of Idaho and is involved with the Boise State University TRIO program middle school partnership. In the past, she was involved with the Treasure Valley Urban Conservation Partnership.

“I would say that I stand out from my peers with unparalleled dedication to my students’ futures, employing hands-on experiences and skill building to inspire a genuine love for learning, science and technology,” Ferro shared. “My humility, creativity and unwavering support for both students and colleagues make me a true role model, fostering an environment where everyone feels valued and motivated to excel.”