Mrs. Laurie Melanson

Background: My husband Bill and I have three adult children, all graduated from college and “paddling their own canoes”, as my mother says.  We’ve lived in a log house in Wentworth, NH for 17 years, having moved up from MA after 9/11. We were looking for a better place to raise our children, and enjoy the outdoors during all four seasons.

Education: I graduated with my bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Salem State College in MA and went on to receive my master’s degree from Harvard University in Reading, Language and Learning Disabilities. Currently, I’m completing my doctoral studies in Educational Leadership at Nova Southeastern University.

Experience:  My first teaching position was in NY, teaching first grade and was thankful I had done my graduate work before being responsible for teaching reading to my first graders!  I taught first grade in MA, and also was a Reading Specialist before becoming principal in the school I had been teaching in. I was fortunate to be able to take a year off when we moved to NH to help my children settle in.  I did some subbing before becoming a Special Education Teacher in my hometown, then at Rivendell Academy. As my children got older, I returned to administration, having had the good fortune to become the Principal at Warren Village School.  I served as Principal in Warren for 6 years before becoming the Superintendent of Schools in SAU #23 in 2016. This is the most challenging position I’ve ever had, and I’m so proud to serve our students, staff and community. We have great students and schools.

Fun Facts: I love to learn and read every chance I get.  My husband and I like to kayak, bike and hike. We have two rescue dogs, Bailey and Buck, who make us smile every day. Now that we’re “empty nesters”, we like to travel every chance we get. My best days are when our children come home to visit. I love to spend time with my 85 year old mother and walk the beach, looking for sea glass. I have quite a collection.