Douglas Anderson Teacher of the Week

JACKSONVILLE, FL -- An English teacher at Douglas Anderson School of the Arts goes the extra mile to help students inside the classroom as well as outside the class. She's our Teacher of the Week.

Melanie Webb has a lot of talented students in her class; but they're learning about so much more than what's in their English or Language books.

There is always lots of discussion in her class. She asks her students, "Why?" and "What if.... ?" and they come with all sorts of answers.

"It's nice to be able to speak in class and not just lecturing all the time. You get to interact with people and have discussions that lead to more discussions," said student Logan Hagerty.

The Principal says Mrs. Webb is an intellegent and sensitive teacher and embraces the diversity at an arts school. "She's the perfect example of a student centered class that goes back for centuries of what great teachers are. She's a natural," said Principal Jackie Cornelius.

Mrs. Webb is also very active outside the classroom. She was the sponsor for the school's chapter of Amnesty International and helped raise money for local refugees. "The kids were the ones who made the club. I just helped facilitate it," said Webb.

She does so much more then teach English. She opens her student's minds to different cultures and different thoughts. "Our class will hopefully be able to talk a lot about issues that will help them be better voters; better community members; be interested in traveling; and seeing more of the world," said Webb.

Webb has been a teacher at Douglas Anderson for 4 years. She was the school's Teacher of the Year last year. Before coming here, she taught in China and in Germany.

A former student nominated Mrs. Webb for Teacher of the Week because she says, "She encourages and motivates her students to want to write and become educated intellectuals."

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