Hello, I am Melodee Smith, formerly, Melodee Harman.  I was remarried in May 2020 and with all the other challenges affecting our lives, this made 2020 one of the best years of my life.  I am getting used to all of the changes that have come from the effects of the pandemic, and I will strive to do my best in walking my students through this time one step at a time.   

Teaching middle-schoolers has been one of the most challenging, exciting, and rewarding adventures of my life .  I pride myself in getting to know my students strengths as well as weaknesses, accomplishments, as well as setbacks.  It is a privilege for me to get to witness a very pivotal time in my students' development as they start thinking abstractly, developing emotionally, and growing rapidly; inside and out.  I pride myself in encouraging my students to make positive life choices, take pride in who they are becoming, and never give up!  Classroom moments my former students remember best are unique learning games, unusual book reports, and research projects as well as my "life speeches."

I came to Redwood in 2000 and while at Redwood, I have taught English, Social Studies, Reading, Drama and Dance.  Founding Redwood's dance team; The Redwood Vikettes in 2006 was a memorable beginning in my time here at Redwood.  I have also enjoyed sponsoring Redwood's Christian Club, teaching intervention classes and being involved with spirit events such as the Redwood Carnival, Spirit Night, and the Redwood Talent Show. My most memorable event at Redwood was bringing my fourth child, home from school to be my own son in 2018.

In my life, apart from teaching, I have four teenagers, three of whom have been in my English class at Redwood.  I have lived in the Conejo Valley since high school.  I enjoy kickboxing, cooking, soccer and writing for publications.  I completed a Masters degree in Creative Writing in 2016 through Southern New Hampshire University and I am working on a couple of books as well as a screenplay. I love my job and I look forward to engaging wholeheartedly with all of my students at Redwood.