Melissa ParksMelissa Parks is an associate professor of education at Stetson University. Formerly, she was a National Board Certified elementary school teacher practicing in both Florida and Massachusetts. She is passionate about teaching. She believes in the powr of a positive classroom built from a foundation of learning activities created to engage students in exploring, and expanding, their natural curiosities. In addition to her teaching, she has served as an area director for the Florida Association of Science Teachers. Dr. Parks has also served on the Outstanding Science Trade Books Panel of the National Science Teaching Association and is currently serving on the Preschool-Elementary Science Teaching Panel of the National Science Teaching Association. Beyond the classroom, Dr. Parks can be found exploring National Parks and looking for ways to bring the natural world into the elementary classroom with authentic and meaningful classroom experiences. Read More Read Less