Hi, my name is Melissa Talaber and I am the upper level math and science teacher. After earning my Bachelors of Science in Biological Sciences at the University of Illinois at Chicago in 2004,I returned to complete my Masters of Education degree in Secondary Instructional Leadership specializing in the teaching of Chemistry. Upon graduating, I worked briefly at Tilden Career Academy teaching Biology and Chemistry. The following school year I began teaching in my own community right here at St. Nicholas Cathedral School in the upper levels teaching science and as the 7th level homeroom. This year I am tackling upper level math along with science.
My role in the classroom is to strengthen collaborative learning and instill qualities of informed decision making and problem solving. I create an environment to meet students’ individual needs. This allows students to develop a deeper mastery of requisite skills and concepts. Meeting students at their own levels helps develop and support intrinsic learning and collaborative team building. Everyone has something to contribute it is just as important to learn from our peers as it is to gather information from traditional resources.