Melissa Evans' career spans over 30 years as a public-school educator and administrator. Her career began at Corbin Middle School in Corbin, KY, where she taught science and language arts. During her tenure, state assessment scores consistently ranked Corbin Middle as one of the top middle schools in the state. She also taught science at Corbin High School. Her commitment to public education has been recognized with prestigious honors, including the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching presented by President Obama, as well as being named Kentucky Middle School Teacher of the Year and Kentucky Science Teacher of the Year. She had the opportunity to study abroad as a recipient of a Summer Sabbatical in Egypt, which proved to be one of her most memorable professional learning experiences.
Evans’s extensive experience includes a significant role as a central office administrator in Knox County Public Schools, where she served as Director of District-Wide Programs, overseeing district assessments, educator development and curriculum, and coordinating MTSS. She moved from district-level administration to state-level roles, spending eight years with the Kentucky Department of Education as an Education Recovery Leader, where she focused on implementing school turnaround models and evidence-based practices in schools and districts throughout the state.
In the fall of 2023, Evans transitioned to higher education as an Assistant Professor of Education. In this role, she teaches beginning-level education classes, serves as a mentor to undergraduate student teachers, and serves as the Director of the Educator Certification Department.
Evans’s extensive experience includes a significant role as a central office administrator in Knox County Public Schools, where she served as Director of District-Wide Programs, overseeing district assessments, educator development and curriculum, and coordinating MTSS. She moved from district-level administration to state-level roles, spending eight years with the Kentucky Department of Education as an Education Recovery Leader, where she focused on implementing school turnaround models and evidence-based practices in schools and districts throughout the state.
In the fall of 2023, Evans transitioned to higher education as an Assistant Professor of Education. In this role, she teaches beginning-level education classes, serves as a mentor to undergraduate student teachers, and serves as the Director of the Educator Certification Department.