Congratulations! Sandra M. Melillo is both ‘Broward County Teacher of the Year 2008’ AND ‘Arts Teacher of the Year 1992'


3/20/2007 11:13:16 AM


Broward County Says Thank You to Another Great Winner: A Great Teacher AND a Great Arts Teacher

Sandra M. Melillo, English and TV Production Teacher at Northeast High School, is both ‘Broward County Teacher of the Year 2008’ AND ‘Arts Teacher of the Year 1992'.

BROWARD COUNTY, FL – Broward County Cultural Division is proud to announce that 2008’s Broward County Teacher of the Year, Sandy Melillo, an English and TV Production teacher at Northeast High School, is also a former recipient of the Broward County Cultural Division Arts Teacher of the Year award in 1992. Melillo was named Broward County Schools 2008 Teacher of the Year, at a celebration luncheon held at the Broward County Convention Center.

As a drama teacher, Melillo directed more than thirty-five plays, performed by students and faculty. Two of her former students have been second camera operators for feature films shot in Florida, while another owns his own production company producing most of the automobile ads in South Florida. Her Northeast television (NETV) students are completely responsible for the content of their morning show. As a result, they have won awards all over the country for their short films, documentaries and public service announcements.

Melillo began teaching basic English to seniors, most of whom were at a fourth grade reading level and by using technology, her class produced a slide show with music. The students, who could barely read, wrote a terrific script and were proud of their final product. “That is the reason I have stayed in teaching,” Melillo said.

Melillo’s dual enrollment and AP English classes have scored well on the AP and FCAT tests. Checking the data on both test results has allowed her to adjust the course content, particularly in writing. As Language Arts Department Head, Melillo and three colleagues developed a ninth grade writing course and a textbook that was distributed to all English teachers.

Melillo, a National Board Certified teacher, received a bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University, a master’s degree from Florida Atlantic University and a doctorate from Florida International University; and she was Broward County Cultural Division’s 1992 Arts Teacher of the Year.


Return to the List of News Releases