Melja Seibert has been hired to teach second grade at Darlington this fall.
“I’m excited to have Melja join our team,” said James Hutchins, who will serve as director of Darlington’s PK-8 program in the coming year. “I am very impressed with her knowledge of primary education curriculum and assessment. She has a background in Reading and Writing Workshop, which will enhance what we’re already doing at the Lower School. Melja comes highly recommended, so we are extremely fortunate to have secured her for this position.”
Seibert will replace Erin Nida, who recently announced her plans to stay at home and spend more time with her children.
“I am looking forward to joining a team of experienced educators who are always striving to bring excitement to learning in the classroom,” Seibert said. “I have heard many positive remarks about Darlington from current teachers as well as parents of students from the past. I am looking forward to putting forth my time and talents in the Darlington Community this fall.”
Since moving to Adairsville, Ga., earlier this year, Seibert has served as an adjunct early childhood educational instructor at Georgia Northwestern Technical College. Previously, she spent six years teaching second grade and two years teaching kindergarten at Spirit Elementary in Deltona, Fla.
“I was inspired to pursue a career in early childhood education at a very young age,” she said. “I always admired my first-grade teacher and all the effort that she put into teaching her students. In addition, my mom and dad volunteered at the school that both my siblings and I attended when we were young. They showed me the importance of a quality education. After elementary school, I continued to see the impact teachers had in the lives of their students. I decided I wanted to make a difference and dedicate my time and talents to make that impact.
“I love that early childhood students are always inquisitive in and out of the classroom,” she continued. “I love that they are constantly discovering new ideas and concepts every day.”
Seibert holds a B.S. in Education from Bowling Green State University, an M.S. in Education from Nova Southeastern University, Georgia State Teaching Certification and Florida/Georgia State ESOL Endorsement.
“My teaching philosophy is student-centered and focuses on the different learning styles of each unique student in the classroom,” Seibert said. “I strongly believe in developing the self-worth and self-esteem of each student in the classroom. Every student deserves to learn in an environment that is conducive to learning. I believe the learning environment should provide opportunities for hands-on/minds-on activities as well as technology integration. I also believe the teacher should guide the students to take an active role in their own learning.”
In addition to her classroom experience, she has also dedicated her time toward extracurricular activities as a high school track and field and soccer coach at Deltona High School. She has spent the last few years promoting fitness to youth by coaching at the Deltona Youth Soccer Club and participating in programs such as Girls on the Run and The Walking School Bus.
Seibert will be one of two second-grade teachers at Darlington in the coming year. She joins veteran teacher Jody Deaton, who has been at the school since 2005.
