Andrea Mele Provides a Safe, Nurturing Kindergarten Classroom at Lourdes Academy in Daytona Beach
Why Mrs. Mele loves teaching at a Catholic school: “We can speak freely about our Catholic faith and put our love of God into action.”
Early childhood education is the foundation for your child’s growth in mind, body, and spirit. Our Volusia County private schools include highly dedicated educators who provide a safe, nurturing environment where young learners can thrive.
One of our exceptional early educators is Mrs. Andrea Mele, Kindergarten Teacher at Lourdes Academy in Daytona Beach. Mrs. Mele creates a warm, welcoming atmosphere where each student is respected and loved as a unique child of God while also receiving a well-rounded education.
Learn more about Mrs. Mele’s teaching approach and why she loves being part of a Catholic school community.
Joining the Faith-Filled Environment at a Catholic School
Mrs. Mele grew up in Youngstown, Ohio, but did not have the opportunity to attend Catholic school. When she became a mother, she made sending her children to a Catholic school a priority.
“Sending my children to Catholic school was very important to me,” she says. “Catholic school provides a firm religious foundation that you cannot find in a public school setting.”
She also found her ideal career teaching at a Catholic school. Ten years ago, she transitioned from a career in retail management to becoming a teacher. She joined Lourdes Academy because of the caring, family-oriented, and faith-filled atmosphere at the school.
“Lourdes Academy has a sense of community and caring that is second to none,” she says. “Our dedication to service and social justice in our community and abroad is an integral part of our root beliefs.”
Providing an Inspiring Classroom Environment for Young Learners
As a Kindergarten Teacher, Mrs. Mele provides a fun, engaging learning atmosphere that helps each child grow his or her cognitive, physical, and social skills, as well as explore the basics of language, literacy, and thinking skills.
“I try to make meaningful connections with my students and make their learning experience engaging and enjoyable,” she says.
She especially enjoys helping students build English and language arts skills. Her favorite part of the job is when students blossom into readers and writers.
She also enjoys the unique ability to incorporate faith and Catholic social teaching inside the classroom.
“Students at Lourdes Academy can connect to Catholic social teachings and see exactly what that looks like,” she says.
For Mrs. Mele, her goal each year is to ensure her students feel safe, secure, and loved.
“I hope that my students take away fond memories of their kindergarten experience, knowing that I treated them as my own, with love.”
Getting to Know Mrs. Mele
Outside of school, here are a few fun facts about Mrs. Mele:
She loves spending time with her family and putting together jigsaw puzzles.
She has two dogs, Toby and Roscoe, and two cats, Bug and Nev.
Her favorite book is “The Stranger Beside Me” by Ann Rule.
Her favorite movie is “Sleepless in Seattle.”
Her favorite Bible verse is Isaiah 41:10: “Do not fear, I am with you; do not be anxious: I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.”
If she could have one superpower, she would choose “to induce peace and kindness, it has the power to save the world.”
Her favorite place she has traveled to is Hanalei on the north shore of Kauai Island, Hawaii.
Thank you, Mrs. Mele, for the love, passion, and faith you bring to Lourdes Academy!
Faces of Catholic Education is an ongoing series in which we spotlight faculty and staff at Volusia County Catholic Schools and celebrate the love they have in their hearts for seeing children grow through a Catholic school education.