Submitted by: Whatcom County Library System
Annually, the Whatcom County Library System (WCLS) Youth Services department recognizes a local community educator who has made a real and significant difference in the lives of the kids we serve with the Golden Apple Award.
The 2016 WCLS Golden Apple award was presented to Melissa Menti in recognition of the extraordinary work she is doing in partnership with WCLS on the ConnectEd Pilot Project, where all Mount Baker School District students are registered for library cards using their student ID.
“Melissa’s advocacy for the students of the Mount Baker School District has greatly expanded students’ awareness and access to public library materials and research services available to them,” said WCLS Youth Services manager Thom Barthelmess.
Born in Seattle, Menti graduated from Laredo State University in Texas with a degree in Secondary Education. She received her Master’s in Education Technology from City University.
Menti taught four years at Christian School of the Desert in Bermuda Dunes, CA. She taught 7th and 8th Grade Core (English & Social Studies) for 21 years. She then began to specialize in helping “non-readers” see themselves as readers, starting a reading intervention class and “Reading Buddies” program where 7th graders read to preschoolers. Since 2015, Menti has held the position of Mount Baker School District Librarian.
“WCLS is thrilled to work with an educator that has such a dedicated, innovative and collaborative spirit,” said Barthelmess. “Thank you, Melissa Menti and Mount Baker School District, and congratulations!”
