Every morning, before the lessons begin and before the first pencil touches paper, Melissa Hawkins pauses to take in a simple but powerful moment. One by one, her second graders walk through the door, and she sees their faces. “That’s my favorite part of the day,” she said. “Seeing their faces. Making sure they’re here.”

It’s a moment she never takes for granted. Because for Melissa Hawkins—known to many in the Meridian community as Ms. Missy—teaching is more than a career. It is the work of her life.

Melissa grew up nearby in Cairo, Illinois, and her connection to education began early. Even as a high school student, she was drawn to the classroom. Through an early childhood program offered in partnership with Shawnee Community College, she spent time working with younger students, discovering a passion that would guide her future.

But her path wasn’t immediate or easy. After high school, life took her in different directions. She worked at a gas station, in a daycare center, and in a school cafeteria. She even operated her own daycare for a time. No matter where she worked, one thing remained constant: she wanted to be around children. “I always loved being around kids,” she said.

Her opportunity to enter the school system came in 1998, when she began working at Meridian as a secretary in special education. Soon after, she became a teacher’s aide—a role she would hold for 14 years. During that time, she worked in Pre-K, special education, and the library, building relationships with students and learning the rhythms of the school from the inside.

Mentors encouraged her to take the next step. “They kept saying, ‘Go back to school. You can do this,’” she recalled. So she did.

While continuing to work full-time, Melissa enrolled in college courses, commuting to Southern Illinois University and completing student teaching assignments in multiple schools. It required determination and sacrifice, but she never lost sight of her goal.

Eventually, she earned her degree in early childhood education and became a certified teacher.

Even then, she remained at Meridian, waiting for the right opportunity. Her commitment to the students and the community never wavered. “These kids were my kids,” she said.

When a teaching position opened in her hometown of Cairo, she accepted it, gaining valuable experience as a third-grade teacher over seven years. But Meridian never left her heart.

In 2019, after encouragement from a former mentor, she returned. “I’ve always wanted to work here,” she said. “This was my work family.”

Since coming back, she has continued to grow professionally. She earned her master’s degree in reading and is currently completing a second master’s degree in early childhood education. Her motivation is simple: she wants to stay current, to keep learning, and to give her students the strongest possible foundation. “I hope I’m helping those kids learn how to read and inspiring them,” she said.

Melissa brings consistency and structure to her classroom, helping students develop the skills and confidence they need to succeed. She understands that second grade is a critical year, one where students begin building habits that will carry them through the rest of their education. Her classroom is a place where expectations are clear, but encouragement is constant.

She also invests her time beyond the regular school day. She tutors students after school, helping them strengthen their reading skills and gain confidence. She continues to study, listen to educational podcasts, and stay engaged in new ideas and research. “I feel like it’s filling my cup,” she said.

Her dedication has not gone unnoticed. She was recently recognized by the Regional Office of Education as a Teacher Who Excels, an honor that reflects both her commitment and her impact.

But for Melissa, the true reward isn’t recognition. It’s the students. Over the years, she has watched generations of Meridian children grow up. Some of the parents she works with today were once her students. She lives nearby, surrounded by family, and remains deeply connected to the community she serves. “This is it,” she said. “This is life.”