Former Moraine Elementary School Principal 2007-2021
Dignity is a shrinking commodity in our society. Dignity is the ability to honor and respect the value and contributions of others while maintaining one’s own self-respect. Don’t you miss that in our public discourse? I do!
During the pandemic, as the fabric of our society frayed, the social qualities of dignity, respect, and civility seemed to evaporate. As we continue to work our way forward through increasingly challenging times of Covid’s endemic phase, teacher shortages, rising operating costs, student and staff wellness, concerns for school safety, learning gaps, and curricular challenges, we need leaders who can help guide us through these times with dignity, courage, civility and respect. Northville has a history and a legacy of that kind of public discourse. I am overjoyed to recommend your vote for Melissa Stuart for Northville Public Schools Board of Education. A vote for Melissa Stuart is a vote for dignity, courage, civility, inclusion, and respect.
I have known Melissa for years. I met Melissa Stuart while serving as principal of Moraine Elementary School where Melissa was an active parent serving in a variety of leadership roles including: Legislative Action Network chairperson, PTA membership chair, Science Olympiad, PTA vice-president, Boy and Girl Scout Leader, and PTA President – just a few of her many, many leadership roles. Leadership comes naturally to Melissa.
During her time at Moraine Melissa was someone I could count on to roll up her sleeves and do whatever needed to be done on behalf of our students. Melissa’s approach was, “What do you need?” Always her focus was service to kids, and support of the staff who made magic happen for our kids. During the 2020-21 school year her support meant voluntarily sewing masks, lots and lots of masks. This last school year, when staffing was difficult, while also serving as PTSA President at Hillside, Melissa served lunch duty at Moraine. It’s not a glamorous job, but it’s so important that our children have a relaxed, happy environment to have lunch, and a safe place to play. It takes supervision to make that happen. In both of these instances Melissa stepped up to help.
In her work as PTA Legislative Action chair Melissa could be found in Lansing actively advocating directly with legislators for school funding and for safe and inclusive practices in public education. Melissa knows our voices only count when we use them, and sometimes that means driving to the capitol and speaking in person to those whose votes directly affect our children’s daily lives. This is Melissa.
Leadership in today’s world can be tough. Everyone has an opinion, and often there are opposing views on every issue; however, as PTA president Melissa valued the dignity in all voices by listening to varied viewpoints, and running inclusive meetings in a dignified and efficient manner. Don’t you wish we had more of this?
As PTA president, Melissa focused on putting what is best for kids at the forefront of her guidance and decision-making. I am proud to say everyone was welcome as part of Moraine’s PTA, and that’s a value Melissa shared with our school through her leadership.. This is value Melissa will take to the Board of Education.
Melissa is a well informed, inclusive, respectful and active participant in Northville Public Schools, parent of two Northville students, a leader in multiple Northville schools, and an active stakeholder in this community. Melissa understands the incredible importance of social-emotional wellness in our youth, our staff members, and our families as we enter an endemic phase of Covid19. She knows the toll this pandemic has taken on us all. Recently Melissa participated in a march to support suicide awareness. When Melissa sees a need, she pitches in to help. Isn’t this what we need from our leaders? This is Melissa.
A vote for Melissa is a vote for dignity and respect in public discourse. Melissa is an advocate and a positive, passionate voice on behalf of Northville’s kids.
-Dr. Denise Bryan, NBCT, Ed.D.
Former Moraine Elementary School Principal 2007-2021
