Hello Everyone!
My name is Melissa Hocking and I just started my 19th year of teaching. Presently I am teaching high school science in Cedar Rapids, Iowa at Cedar Rapids Washington High School. This is my first year in this school district as we moved this summer when my husband took a new job as superintendent of schools in Lisbon, IA. While I am presently teaching science this is not where my journey began.
I was born and raised in rural Michigan and since I grew up in rural Michigan I had a love for agriculture and became extensively involved in FFA. This drew me to a major in Agriculture Education wanting to stay connected to the two things that I was passionate about, agriculture and the FFA. While I began my education at Michigan State University I then transferred to Iowa State University to finish my degree. While I loved the FFA part of my job, teaching agriculture was really not my passion and being FFA advisor required a lot of time away from my family. At the time a science position had become available in our district and since I had enough credits in the field to earn a science endorsement, I switched. I now teach Foundations of Science and Pre-AP Biology. Two years ago I wrote a grant for a classroom set of iPads and obtained 30 iPads for my classroom. Since then I have flipped my classroom and put all my lectures on podcasts. I knew that technology could be the gateway to a much more engaged classroom with better differentiated instruction which leads to my other passions of technology and curriculum and instruction.
I have always wanted to obtain my graduate degree but I am glad I have waited until now when I really know what I want to do with my career. I didn't want to go back to school just to get a degree so I could move up the salary schedule, I wanted to earn a graduate degree based on my passions and how I wanted to advance my career. In the future I see myself as a curriculum director or teaching on-line or face to face courses at a community college or working in some role with technology in public schools. I am very passionate about the education system in the United States and how it is the backbone of the future of America.
I am excited to be back in school at Michigan State University. Attending MSU has always been important to me as my grandfather graduated from MSU and always wanted me to attend school at MSU. My grandfather passed away this summer at the age of 98 and when he died he was one of the oldest living graduates of MSU having graduated in 1939.
My husband Pat is the superintendent of schools, at a nearby district, and we have two children Ryan and Madison. We love to travel, camp and boat and watching sports. Spartans all the way!
