Melissa Costantino-Poruben Pittsburgh, PA | K-6, Mathematics, 2022

The official biography below was current at the time of the award.

Melissa Costantino-Poruben is a service-driven mathematics teacher and has spent her entire career in the Avonworth School District. She began at Avonworth High School in August of 2000, and moved to eighth grade at Avonworth Middle School from 2001 to 2017. Since then, she has taught sixth grade mathematics at Avonworth Elementary School. Melissa's classes are problem-based using collaborative teaching practices to solve real-world problems. Whenever possible, she incorporates project-based learning (PBL) experiences into her curriculum. Recently, her students completed a PBL experience renovating their elementary playground. She is passionate about getting her students excited about problem solving, engineering, and computer science. Melissa's goal is that every student will see themselves as a mathematician by the end of the school year. In addition to her work in the classroom, Melissa is a strong union supporter at the local, regional, state, and national levels. She works tirelessly and unapologetically to be a voice for every student, to speak out for educator rights and working conditions, and to bring justice into our schools to transform our communities. Melissa is a lifelong learner. She is a National Board Certified Teacher in early adolescence mathematics and has earned degrees from four post-secondary institutions, including a B.S. in mathematics education from Edinboro University in 2000, a Masters Equivalency in education from the University of Pittsburgh in 2005, an M.Ed. in curriculum and instruction from Clarion University in 2009, and an M.Ed. in learning and technology from Western Governors' University in 2015.

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