When the coronavirus forced schools to close, a teacher from Valencia found a creative way to keep kids learning! She is our KNX Helpful Honda Hero of the Week, and her work is setting a new trend!
"I believed in myself, and my vision!"
36 year-old Jeri Melo is redefining the classroom. You could say the preschool teacher is breaking the mold. When her school shut its doors due to COVID-19, Jeri did some emotional shopping, like a lot of us did. It led to the purchase of an old school bus, that she transformed into a mobile classroom!
"I noticed that there were a lot of mobile businesses, including mobile hair salons and dog groomers. I was like, why can't I continue grooming children's minds?" explains the mother of two. "So, I put everything together, and I realized that if children can't come to school, I could bring the school to them!"
Jeri's “Classroom To Go” consists of small groups of students who are taught inside the bus. It’s parked outside of a family's home, or in a park. "It's like my little ray of sunshine, rolling down the street!" says Jeri.
The bus was a little basic at first. Jeri hired a carpenter to help make a few chairs and a workstation. But she later won a national classroom makeover contest with Brittany Jeltema, and the whole bus got an upgrade!
Jeltema is a former teacher who hosts giveaways for classroom makeovers through her Instagram @thesuperheroteacher. The #classroomtogo got new floors, lots of new books and words like “DREAM” and “GROW” painted on it in bright colors. The bus became a fresh place of creativity and imagination!
"My heart just burst!" exclaims Jeri, "because it was everything that I could have possibly dreamed, plus more!"
"Did you have to get a certain license to drive the bus?" I inquired.
"I did not!" says Jeri, "only because I don't have any passengers!"
Every month, Jeri and her students do a service project, to give back to the community. "In November, we will be writing letters to support our troops."
The innovative creator of the “Classroom To Go,” Jeri Melo of Valencia is our KNX Hero of the Week!
"I just wanted it to feel like a place where everyone can feel welcome."
KNX Heroes is brought to you by California Resources Corporation, saluting our military veterans, and all of our heroes! Go to https://www.crc.com/ for more information.
Hear more of my inspiring conversation with Jeri about the #classroomtogo and her plans for the future, at the hero's podcast page at https://www.audacy.com/knxnews/podcasts/knx-hero-of-the-week-132
Connect online with Miss Jeri and the #classroomtogo at https://linktr.ee/missjeri
Find out what your Helpful SoCal Honda Dealers are up to, by heading to their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/SoCalHondaDealers/
Do you know someone who is inspirational, motivational, life changing or life-saving? Nominate them as a future KNX hero at https://www.audacy.com/knxnews/nominate
You can also send an email directly to the host of KNX Hero of the Week, addressed to Heather.Jordan@audacy.com