Melissa Begin is a true “hometown” girl. She comes from a family of long-time Tillamook County residents. She was a “Bobcat” from Nestucca High School and was a very busy student, participating in softball, track & field, volleyball, basketball and also was involved in the drama department, acting in the play “Oklahoma.” All of this in addition to working on her goal of becoming a teacher.

College took Melissa to Western Oregon University in Monmouth, Oregon where she received her B.S. in Teaching and her Masters in Curriculum & Instruction. She continued on with her love of sports by playing intramural volleyball, basketball & softball at Western Oregon. After graduation she taught at East Elementary for seven years before moving to THS Math Department last year, teaching Freshman Math Lab and Algebra 1.

If the last name of Begin sounds familiar it is because Melissa is married to Johnny Begin, THS Mechanics & Discovery teacher. They have been married for twelve years and have two children: Johnathan, age 8 & Carver, age 1. Melissa enjoys family camping trips off of the grid, motorcycle rides, reading books, walking, soaking up sunshine, word searches, sudoku puzzles and time with her sister, Ashley.

When asked what her impression of living in Tillamook is she smartly replied, “I love the everyday smell of money (cow poop) especially on those hot summer nights.” She also added some interesting facts about herself:

1.      Studied abroad in Argentina for 8 weeks.

2.      Went skydiving in Hawaii.

3.      Never broke a bone.

4.      Despised math as a kid.

5.      Married her high school sweetheart.

6.      Teaches more students in one day than attended her entire high school.

If you have the chance, stop by and say hello to Melissa!