Mrs. Mellott · Chelsea Mellott

Originally from Fort Wayne, Indiana, I earned my dual B.S. in Elementary Education (K–8) and Special Education (K–12) from Indiana University in 2019 and a Master’s in Autism Spectrum Disorders from Grand Canyon University in 2024. After teaching 5th grade and managing a 39-student 7th-grade inclusive resource caseload at Carroll Middle School in Indiana, I moved to Reno, Nevada in 2021 to lead middle school Autism Strategies programs in the Washoe County School District at Shaw Middle School and Marce Herz Middle School (Grades 6–8)—supporting students with autism in developing academic, social-emotional, and life-skills independence in close partnership with staff, families, and community partners.

Over seven years in special education, my responsibilities have grown well beyond classroom instruction. Using Backward Design, ADDIE, Universal Design for Learning (UDL), and AI curriculum development, I author multi-tiered K–8 science ("Pumpkin Jack") and neurodiversity-affirming SEL ("My Brain, My Way") curricula, supervise and train teaching assistants through a structured 30-week onboarding program, serve as a WCSD District Mentor Teacher coaching new special education educators, coordinate the student-run Falcon Fuel vocational store, and manage our school website. I enjoy identifying a need, figuring out a practical solution, and helping others put that solution into practice.