Melody Love Leigh

With over 25 years of general and special education experience, my core values of faith, excellence, communication, team work, and growth are embedded in every fiber of my being and every action I take. Pursuing excellence in instructing students and mentoring adults is set upon the foundations of my faith and desire to see others grow. My colleagues understand that clear, frequent communication and team building/team work are standards I aspire to personally and as a team. An assessment of my thinking talents reveal that I have a relational and procedural mindset towards talent development in students and fellow teachers. My leadership compass quiz outcomes demonstrate a strong tendency toward action-oriented traits. Analytical qualities serve as a secondary attribute. I identify as an INFJ-Advocate (Introversion, Intuition, Feeling, and Judging) based on Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. I see myself as an inquisitive and eternal learner, eager to learn more about myself and others. Your story is essential to me. Tell me more!

• Loganville Elementary School, Walton County, Afterschool Program, American Sign Language Teacher, 2013-2014
• Atlanta Area School for the Deaf, Adult Evening Class, American Sign Language Teacher, 2006-2007

• Deaf Education and Language Arts, P-12
• English, Grades 6-12
• Gifted In-Field
• Exceptional Needs Specialist, NBPTS (2006-2016)

• Aspiring Leader Program, Berkmar High School, 2023-Current
• Special Education Compliance Team, Berkmar High School, 2023-Current
• Instructional Lead Teacher, Berkmar High School - ASD3, DHH, MiID, and OI, 2023-Current
• Mentor Teacher, Berkmar High School, 2022-Current
• GOC/Accelerated Academies Liaison, Berkmar High School, 2022-Current
• SSD Coordinator, College Board, Berkmar High School, 2022-Current
• Liaison Special Education Mentor Teacher, Berkmar High School, 2022-2023
• Special Education Mentor Teacher, Gwinnett County Schools, 2021-2023
• Deaf Self-Advocacy Training, Georgia Council for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, 2016
• Certified Deaf Interpreter Training, Georgia Council for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, 2016
• Board Member, Public Outreach Liaison and Bible Study/ASL Teacher, Camp DOVE, 2011-2013
• ASL Teacher and ASL Weekend of Worship, Anchor Church/Proskuneo, 2010-2011
• Signing Choir and Deaf Womens’ Bible Study Facilitator, Annistown Road Baptist Church, 2009-2010
• ASL Test Development Committee, Georgia Assessments for the Certification of Educators, 2007
• Deaf Mentor Training, Georgia Department of Education, 2006
• Presenter, Georgia Deaf Education Achievement Forum, 2004

• Easterbrooks, S., Stoner, M., Using a Visual Tool to Increase Adjectives in the Written Language of Students who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing, Communication Disorders Quarterly, 27, 2, 95-109, 2006
• Stoner, M., Easterbrooks, S., Laughton, J., Handwritten and Word-Processed Story Retellings by School-Aged Students Who are Deaf, Journal of Special Education Technology, 20, 3, 35-44, 2005