Congratulations, Melanie Lynch! Melanie was just awarded the Health Teacher of the Year Award at the National Shape America conference in Minneapolis, MN. 

Melanie Lynch graduated from Penn State University with a Bachelor's degree in Kinesiology. She then earned her Master's degree, also at Penn State, in Counselor Education with an emphasis on eating disorders and chemical dependency. Melanie is in her 20th year as a Health Education Specialist at State College Area High School.

Melanie is currently serving PSAHPERD in the role of President. Melanie co-authored the health textbook, Comprehensive Health, which is being used in her health classes and was published by Goodheart-Willcox in late 2014. Melanie has had her award-winning lesson plans published online, and has many fans of her work!

In 2004, PSAHPERD named Melanie Pennsylvania's Health Educator of the Year. In 2012, SHAPE America named Melanie the Health Education Teacher of the Year for the Eastern District. Also in 2012, PSAHPERD awarded Melanie with its prestigious Professional Honor Award. In 2015, she was selected as the recipient of the 2015 SHAPE America Eastern District Outstanding Professional Award in Health. Now she can add this year's award to her already long list of accomplishments! 

When asked about the experience of receiving this award, Melanie had this to say: 

"I have dedicated my entire professional life to improving the skills that would best enable me to help kids become happy and healthy. Winning the SHAPE America National TOY award is an amazing experience because it will now give me access to more opportunities and broaden my scope of service to kids everywhere."

You can see a State College Area School District "teacher feature" on Melanie here. 

Melanie teaches EDU 953: Tech in Health Education for Eduspire.