Melanie Drury

Connect Tell us why you became a teacher

I became a teacher because I love learning and helping people understand our planet. Fostering student growth and knowledge is my goal as a teacher so that I can help others understand their role on our planet. The AHA moment when a student understands a complex system that they struggled with previously is rewarding in multiple ways. Our students are our future and they need to understand the intricacies of Earth’s systems so that they can be educated citizens regardless of their careers.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

My most memorable teaching experience was during our surface processes unit in 2025. Students were given a current problem in our state such as road salt contamination in groundwater or runoff from agricultural pesticides. Working in groups they researched the problem and came up with a solution by designing a product to mitigate the risk. They presented their product design, cost, and feasibility to a panel of teachers in our building in the format of a Shark Tank episode. It was so cool!

What would you do with the $25,000?

I teach about the Earth but have visited very few places. Teachers do not get paid during the summer and travel is expensive. I would use the money to travel to the places I teach about so that I can bring back my experiences and share them with my students.