Melissa Blossom

Senior Specialist, Midwest

mblossom@niet.org

Melissa Blossom joined NIET as a senior specialist for Indiana after serving at the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) as assistant director of secondary curriculum, then director of school improvement. At IDOE, Melissa made significant changes to how the department provided support to the field. These included going on site weekly to offer free evidence-based training for teachers and leaders, starting the first IDOE podcast for school leaders, and authoring the #INspireEDleaders newsletter with a subscriber list of over 6,000 educators.

Prior to IDOE, Melissa worked as a social studies teacher at Marian High School for four years, then transitioned into administration quickly as assistant principal for seven and one-half years. Facing state takeover, Marian High School partnered with NIET. As a result, the school grew from an F to A in three years on Indiana's accountability model. After celebrating a significant school turn at Marion High School, Melissa accepted her first principalship at Blackford Junior High School in Hartford City, Indiana.

Melissa started her career as a juvenile probation officer after graduating from Ball State University. Her love  for working with at-risk students compelled her to return to Ball State to obtain her teaching license and master's in secondary education.

 Melissa  Blossom

What was your favorite subject in school?

I loved U.S. history, psychology, and government, which consequently are my areas of licensure. Those were my favorite classes because the teachers made the subjects interesting and relevant. I couldn't wait to get to those classes and never watched the clock.

What is your hidden talent?

My hidden talent is humor! I love playing practical jokes on my friends and family.

What do you do in your free time?

In my free time, I love playing tennis with my family and traveling. I especially love traveling abroad. I have visited France, Italy, Greece, and Mexico. I am traveling to Canada this summer (2021) with my parents and children.