Greetings students, parents, and community members! My name is Melissa Byrd. I have been in education for 16 years, and I am super happy to be your 8th grade science teacher this year! I have spent all 16 years in the exciting and unique world that is middle school. I absolutely love the spontaneity, curiosity, and open-mindedness of “middle schoolers”. I have taught 7^th grade science (2 years) 8^th grade science (12 years), and been an instructional specialist (2 years) in Greater Houston. I earned a Biology Pre-Medicine degree at Xavier University of Louisiana in New Orleans. I spend most of my free time with my family. I don’t have any children of my own and am closest to my older and younger brother, making me the infamous middle child. Growing up with only brothers, I am a tomboy at heart. My philosophy on teaching and education is to inspire fearless curiosity through project-based learning and cultivate life-long learners that embrace the process of learning. I’m looking forward to an awesome and innovative school year!