Melody Harding, Pre-K 4 faculty at the Beaches Campus, is widely celebrated for establishing a classroom environment where students feel safe, secure, and genuinely excited to learn. Her approach to education highlights her gift for connecting with young learners. She truly sees and values each student as an individual, celebrating their unique qualities and tailoring her instruction so that every single learner feels both supported and challenged. Ms. Harding’s award nominations consistently praised the meaningful, hands-on learning experiences she creates, bringing the curriculum to life in creative ways and never minding a little mess if it sparks deep engagement.

This deep impact is warmly echoed by her peers across every nomination letter. One colleague noted that she “approaches her work with professionalism, kindness, and an unwavering focus on supporting student success”. Another shared a heartwarming daily observation: “Each morning, I watch her students walk down the hallway excited to enter her classroom, knowing they are walking into a place where they are loved, valued, and inspired to learn.”

Harding’s leadership and influence extend far beyond her classroom walls. She regularly mentors newer colleagues with exceptional generosity and patience, and she has dedicated countless hours to coordinating the campus afterschool enrichment and extended day programs. With nearly three decades of service, Harding’s enduring career stands as a profound testament to her genuine dedication to the community and the students she serves.

The Reverend Dr. Robert R. Parks Excellence in Teaching Award was established to recognize faculty on the Beaches Campus. It is named in honor of the founder of St. Paul’s by-the-Sea Episcopal Day School in 1957, which was later renamed Beaches Episcopal School and is now the Beaches Campus. The Reverend Parks was the rector of St. Paul’s by-the-Sea Episcopal Church at that time, and would later go on to serve as the Dean of St. John’s Cathedral and a key member of the founding of Episcopal High School in 1966, now Episcopal School of Jacksonville.