My name is Melissa Stephen and this is my third year working at MacArthur. I was a teacher at Edison High school before this in SAISD. I will be teaching Algebra 1 this year. Previously, I have taught Algebra Intervention, Geometry, Algebra 2, AP Statistics, and OnRamps Statistics. I am a mom to three girls (15, 11, and 7) and have lived in San Antonio since 2007.

Deciding to become a teacher was a long process. After high school (Maryland), I joined the military and was in the Army as an Arabic Linguist and Interrogator. While I was still in the military, I was given the honor of being a translator for a kindergarten student who only spoke his native language. Through that experience I found myself loving the classroom environment and watching children bloom when given the right resources and people on their side. 

After I left the military, I actually went to Cosmetology school so that I would have a job that was easily transferred if my family had to be re-stationed quickly. Ultimately, I decided I wanted more and I wanted to find myself in the classroom. I went back to school after a 10 year break and received my degree in 2014. I am always open to talk to my students about the various routes to adulthood via military, vocational training, or traditional schooling. 

I can't wait to see what this year brings!