Teacher Highlight: Ms. Melissa McMunn | Teaching and Learning Coordinator at Barnesville School of Arts and Sciences
We are excited to introduce Ms. Melissa McMunn, one of the newest members of the Barnesville School family. Though she has started teaching at Barnesville this year, Ms. McMunn brings with her over 30 years of experience in Montgomery County Public Schools, where she held various positions, including teaching a self-contained class for students with emotional needs and working at Fox Chapel’s Center for the Highly Gifted. Her extensive background also includes teaching advanced math, serving as an interventionist and data analyst, and creating the Reader Dog program at Judith A. Resnik Elementary School.
Ms. McMunn’s dedication to education is evident in her diverse academic background. She earned her bachelor's degree from West Virginia University, her master's degree from Gallaudet University, and a Reading Specialist degree from MSDE, obtained through Bowie State University. She reflects on the richness of her education, stating, “Talk about diversity! An Appalachian school, a school for the deaf, and an HBCU!” This range of experiences has shaped her understanding of students’ unique needs and abilities, allowing her to apply that insight every day in the classroom.
For Ms. McMunn, the most rewarding part of her day is working with students. She loves to hear their thoughts and perspectives, especially when it comes to problem-solving. She says, “I love to hear how students think and to show all of the possible ways they might go about finding solutions to their obstacles.” Her passion for helping students find solutions fosters a growth-oriented environment where curiosity and resilience are key.
Beyond the classroom, Ms. McMunn has a unique and colorful personal life. She is the proud caretaker of 10 dogs, 6 chickens, a green-rumped parrotlet, and a horse. This love for animals inspired her to run a Puppy Club after school for the first time, introducing students to the world of other species and connecting her passion for animals with STEM education.
Her dedication to animals is also evident in her impressive work with dogs. Ms. McMunn has bred, raised, trained, and competed with her dogs in various dog sports. Her dogs are known internationally, and she is in the process of becoming an AKC judge for Scent Work. This summer, she will be traveling to Helsinki to attend the World Dog Show, where a dog she bred will be competing. She is also deeply committed to the preservation of the Irish Water Spaniel, a breed considered vulnerable worldwide.
When asked why she chose Barnesville, Ms. McMunn shared that she has lived near the area for most of her life. She had substituted at the school during a year off from Montgomery County Public Schools and appreciated the supportive and welcoming atmosphere. When the position became available, she knew it was the right fit saying, “I knew I could offer what the students need.”
Outside of teaching and animals, Ms. McMunn has a deep love for horseback riding. Having ridden since the age of eight, she finds joy and relaxation in this hobby. While she does not compete seriously, she enjoys trail rising, judged pleasure rides, and obstacle courses with her current horse, the fourth she has had the privilege to ride and care for.
Ms. McMunn’s diverse background, commitment to teaching, and love for animals and the outdoors make her an extraordinary addition to the Barnesville School of Arts & Sciences community. We are thrilled to have her as part of our team and look forward to the many ways she will continue to inspire our students.
Barnesville School
21830 Peach Tree Road
PO Box 404
Barnesville, MD 20838
p: 301.972.0341
PO Box 404
Barnesville, MD 20838
p: 301.972.0341
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