My name is Melissa Olson and I have the privilege of teaching our K-5 advanced learners program as well as 4th-5th grade STEAM Special Area.

I was born and raised in Texas. I graduated Texas Tech University with my Bachelor of Science in Education. I am also endorsed in the areas of Gifted Education and English Speakers of Other Languages.

I spent my first 10 years of teaching in Texas. During these 10 years, I spent my summers traveling overseas to Europe, Central America, and parts of Asia. While I enjoyed all my many adventures, my heart fell in love with the people of Eastern Europe. This led me to spend the most significant portion of my travels in this part of the world, specifically in Hungary, Romania, and Ukraine, where I worked with orphan children. 

It was during my ninth year of teaching that I met my husband, Scott. We were married in Fort Worth and shortly thereafter decided to move to Florida, where Scott had been born and raised. I taught for a year and a half at Lake Trafford Elementary in Naples before we moved to Tallahassee.

Scott and I have two boys: Reese and Teagan. In my free time, I love to hang out with my family and friends, read books, work in my gardens, and travel. I enjoy the mountains or the beach-places I can relax and soak up the outdoors. When I get the opportunity to travel overseas, I take it! I love learning about new cultures, discovering new places, but also going back to the places I love.

I am always excited to see what adventures come along and so proud of the kiddos as they open their minds to new worlds, take on challenges, develop a growth mindset, persevere, and have fun doing it!