Jackson Colo
Staff Writer
Whether in an AP Biology class, on the sidelines with the Varsity Cheer Team, or simply walking the halls, biology teacher Melanie Eldridge radiates a golden light; a light that started with a small spark early in her career. Eldridge accidentally discovered her love for teaching while attending the University of North Carolina in Greensboro (UNCG).
“I was volunteering for one of my biology classes at [UNCG], and we volunteered for something called the Star Program,” Eldridge said. “We’d go into high schools to help students who were at risk of failing, and we would tutor them after school. I loved it so much. And it turns out I was pretty good at it, so I ended up getting a job offer.”
After discovering her newfound talent in teaching, Eldridge decided that she would take a crack at a career in education, starting at Lexington High School (LHS) in 2009. While Eldridge had a great experience at LHS, she yearned for an environment that fostered diversity and was representative of that which surrounded the school, so Eldridge decided to take a job at R.J. Reynolds High School (RJR).
“I like city schools that represent the population of the city, and so I’m looking for a school with high diversity, just because that makes me happy,” Eldridge said. “That’s the appeal of Reynolds.”
After beginning at RJR, Eldridge was quick to help foster a deep connection with students through appealing lessons and her charming demeanor. Eldridge continues to strengthen this connection with students as she approaches her eleventh year on staff.
“Ms. Eldridge has always made class fun,” AP Biology student Cora Hawfield said. “Every class she gives us the opportunity to do an engaging activity with our table groups and class.”
While not all students are as engaged as Cora, Eldridge is deeply grateful for every student who enters her classroom. Whether a student is at the top of their class or struggling to maintain a passing grade, Eldridge continues to enhance her students as they enhance her.
“I think all relationships are two-way streets,” Eldridge said. “I’ve had classes and students where it was challenging, either because I was challenged or the students were challenged. But there are times where the students make the teacher feel successful. Then, because the teacher feels successful, they try harder, and it makes the students feel that positive energy. It’s just this constant give and take. All experiences are good experiences, but I think that I’m lucky because I get that a lot more than not.”
The study of biology has been a constant in Eldridge’s life, allowing her to further understand herself and the world around her. Biology became especially prominent in her life as she faced medical complications early this fall.
“I went in for a routine mammogram, expecting everything to be fine, like all the other ones from the last 15 years of my life,” Eldridge said. “I got a phone call a couple of days later saying that the mammogram showed some abnormalities. There was a whole process of being diagnosed that took longer than I would have liked it to, but that’s just the way that the medical process works. It turns out it was stage one cancer, but they were able to take it out, and I have a very low chance of recurrence.”
Because of her role as a Biology teacher, Eldridge was faced with the difficult decision of whether or not to share her complications with her students.
“I think everyone who goes through an illness like this has to decide, ‘do I want to keep this private, or am I going to tell people?’,” Eldridge said. “I thought that as a teacher, it’s probably better if I’m transparent about what I’m going through. If I encourage even one of my students to remember to get their mammogram on time, and that helps save their life or helps them get a better diagnosis, that is totally worth it.”
Although Eldridge’s diagnosis was not easy, she used it to inspire her students and the whole RJR community both in the classroom and beyond!