Melanie graduated from Louisiana Tech University with a Bachelors of Science in Elementary Education. She grew up in Jonesboro, Louisiana. Melanie taught in elementary grades before becoming a stay-at-home mom. Before serving here at New Castle as the after school director, she served in Children’s Ministries and Awana in both Louisiana and Bloomington, IL. She and her husband Michael have lived in Illinois for 7 years and have been married since 2002. They have 3 children: Kaitlyn, Natalie, and Garrett.