Melanie Salazar

Teacher

Melanie grew up between the snow-capped mountains and wind-swept valleys of the Southwest. There, she earned her Bachelor’s in Communication at Eastern New Mexico University and discovered her passion for journalism working as editor of the college’s student-run newspaper. After graduating, she completed her Master’s in Communication at the University of New Mexico, where she also taught Public Speaking and Writing for the Mass Media. Over the course of her professional career in New Mexico, Melanie worked as a reporter, photographer, and graphic designer for five different newspapers around the state.

Eager to connect her enthusiasm for writing and teaching with her thirst for adventure, Melanie moved to Placentia in 2012 and pursued a teaching credential at the University of Redlands. During that time, she worked as a cognitive skills trainer and academic support director for a local educational psychologist’s office and also volunteered as a youth soccer coach. Since 2017, she has worked as an independent math and language arts tutor and academic support coach for students in and around Orange County.

Melanie’s teaching philosophy is centered around the belief that education is at its best when students and teachers approach content collaboratively. She is excited to join the Arbor team and is looking forward to learning from her students.

In her free time, Melanie enjoys running, cycling, improvising crochet pieces, and cooking anything with avocados.