After raising 2 rambunctious boys, Melissa and her husband John made the bold move to relocate to South Florida to continue raising her then teenagers in a new environment with a beautiful climate. Melissa spent several years working in a K-8 school and also as a youth leader and found helping teenagers through tumultuous years to be a fulfilling experience. The desire to continue to be surrounded by teenagers led her to Yeshiva High School where Rabbi Tirschwell took a chance that she would embrace the YHS teenagers in what was then a growing Jewish community.
 
After 4 years of serving first as the Head of School’s assistant, bookkeeper, assistant girls’ soccer coach and athletic director she found her niche in admissions. It has been her honor to be part of such an incredible, dedicated, and professional team who make our students a priority inside and outside of the classroom. Some of her most memorable times were spent on the sidelines of the soccer field spending time with girls on the team. Since beginning her journey with Yeshiva (now Katz) High School in 2001 with an enrollment of 95 students, the school has grown to 500 students and is on a beautiful campus. Although the KYHS family has grown, the mission has remained the same, to inspire and challenge each student to reach their full potential.  It has been her privilege to welcome each freshman every August as they begin their high school journey and watch them over the 4 years grow into incredible young men and women. 
 
It is now time for a new chapter in Melissa’s life in Sebastian Florida where she can take some time to reflect on the wonderful years spent at Katz Yeshiva High School.