HEAD OF THE CLASS: DMS acknowledges Teacher of the Year and Support Person the Year

Melody Gill is both a teacher and a student.

In pursuit of her doctorate in education and educational specialist degree, the Destin Middle School teacher says that managing her schedule can be the biggest obstacle.

“It has been challenging to balance work, college, performing in a professional dance company and, of course, saving time to spend with my family, friends and four adopted kittens,” said Gill.

Early in November, the faculty and staff of Destin Middle School acknowledged Gill’s accomplishments by naming her Teacher of the Year.

Gill has been a member of the “Marlin family” for five years. She teaches seventh grade advanced world geography and career research and sixth and eighth grade Dance. Gill is also coach of the Dazzlers Dance Team and co-sponsor of the Beta Club.

“It is great working with students,” Gill told The Log. “They are intelligent, creative and full of new ideas.”

Gill will accept her award at the Teacher of the Year banquet on Thursday, Feb. 17 at the Emerald Coast Conference Center.

DMS also recognized a distinguished member of their support team. Judy Hall was named Support Person of the Year. For 11 years, Hall has been the face of the DMS front office and the principal’s secretary.

She was overwhelmed with “congratulations” from the other support personnel and teachers.

“I love my job, I love the students, parents and those I work with,” Hall said. “The smiles on the faces of the parents and the students I help and the love and respect I receive from the students each day — that is my reason for coming to work.”