Mrs. Patty Melei has taught 29 years at Lemont High School, teaching all levels of English, Creative Writing, Communications and American Studies. 

As she reminisces about her career, Melei cites her spark for teaching to her large family. Although she started off in a pre-medical track in college, halfway through she realized her passion for writing from watching her professor read poetry. 

“What brought me to education was growing up in a big family and realizing the power of big conversations and learning,” Melei said. “I wanted to be able to pull [writings] apart to see emotion and intellect.”

With a passion for providing English resources in her department, Mrs. Melei designed the Writing Center at Lemont and ran it for five years, as well as being a sponsor for the SPARK Literary Magazine. Last year, Spark earned a Superior award from the National Council of Teachers in English REALM competition.

As she thinks about what’s changed in her career, Melei says that Google Meets and Hangouts are among her favorite innovations because she’s able to connect with former students. This year, Melei raised $10,000 for scholarships to give away with her former student and three time Emmy Award Winner Ed Kulzer. Melei always was welcome to invite former students to talk to her classes.

Among some of her favorite projects included a problem for her American Studies class in the late 90s. It included students researching a problem and solution and presenting it to the community. She boasts how these projects reached the ears of bestselling author Danielle Steele and even Oprah. 

In addition to that feat, Melei includes some of her proudest moments to be presenting at the European Writing Center Conference in Freiburg in Breisgau, Germany and at the International Writing Center Conference in Oregon. She has also presented at the College Communication & Composition (CCCC) to share with post-secondary teachers what the high school writer looks like, “promote literacy, technology, research and community partnerships.” Among these experiences, Melei started the Chicagoland Organization of Literacy & Writing Centers to promote the importance of writing centers.

One stand out moment for Melei was collaborating with seniors Aleksa Kirkus and Lauren MacLean among other students to testify in front of the Illinois Senate for their resolution to protect 30% of land and water by 2030. 

“To see an adult in my life show such newfound passion, enthusiasm and care for a movement that was being carried by scientists and Gen Z, meant the world to me,” Kirkus said.

Not only did the Senators listen, they passed the students’ resolution. 

“In the history of my life, I never thought teenagers would have that goal happen in a short period of time,” Melei said.

Among these great feats were some hardships, including making connections with each student.

“A kid’s perception is their truth, and the hardest part is [learning that],” Melei said. “Making them feel secure and have hope that there is something that I can offer them is key.”

However, the relationship between Melei and her students is what is most rewarding to her. As an English teacher for over 30 years, Melei has read hundreds of students’ papers, helping form a personal connection with each one.

“It’s like a window into their soul,” Melei said. “They make themselves so vulnerable. There’s a clarity and honesty that I’m humbled they share with me. I feel so honored to be a part of a kid’s journey as a step away from adulthood.”

Although Melei is retiring, her love for writing will continue to flourish. She plans to become a writing coach and launch her website “The Think Box Group” to help business and other people with marketing and strategic plans. Additionally, she wants to “bring high school” to assisted living facilities.

“[Senior citizens] are ready for a new kind of learning and engagement,” she said.

In her retirement letter, Melei also said “Spending time with my siblings and their families is something I eagerly look forward to…I plan to travel and enjoy spending time with my husband Anthony and our children Kathleen and Michael.”

Melei has the reputation of being a kind teacher who allows the creativity in her students to be used to its full potential. With engaging projects and a “let’s do it” mindset, Melei has impacted the course of all students’ lives at Lemont High School.

“My landscape of teaching was always changing, so that helped me use all my gifts and talents,” said Melei. “It’s been a great career. I learned a lot of life values.”