Surprising a GMercyU Teacher for Teacher Appreciation Week
On Thursday, May 8, GMercyU's mascot, M.E.R.V. the Griffin, surprised GMercyU Education graduate Melissa Walter ’24 in honor of Teacher Appreciation Week. Melissa is currently a substitute teacher at Salford Hills Elementary School in the Souderton Area School District. M.E.R.V. surprised Melissa and her first-grade classroom with stuffed animals, lollipops, and a gift for Melissa to celebrate her hard work and dedication as a teacher.
Melissa graduated from GMercyU in December 2024 with her Bachelor of Science in Early Education and Special Education and is walking in the Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony on May 17. Melissa is also the 2025 recipient of the Distinguished Student Teacher Award, presented to an undergraduate student teacher who exhibited the highest quality of professionalism in teaching, as well as outstanding academic and scholarly achievement.
While as GMercyU, Melissa was an active member of the Education Outreach Club, helping to raise funds for a variety of projects, including the collection of recess and school supplies for schools in need. She was also named to the Dean’s List several times and is a member of the National Society of Leadership & Success.
Melissa completed her Teacher Apprentice Program (TAP) experience at Souderton Charter Collaborative with first- through fourth-grade students and at Easterseals in a Pre-K autistic support classroom. She began student teaching at Marlborough Elementary School in kindergarten through third-grade learning support classrooms, where she planned lessons and led small group instruction. She also participated in the evaluation process for several students, built and administered IEPs, monitored student progress, and participated in IEP meetings. She completed the second half of her student teaching in a general education third-grade classroom where she planned, prepared, and led lessons on mathematics, reading, writing, phonics, social/emotional learning, and science.
While working to obtain a full-time teaching position, Melissa plans to continue learning as a substitute teacher at Salford Hills Elementary School.
Congratulations to Melissa and happy Teacher Appreciation Week to all GMercyU teachers!