Melissa Bulick was a member of the class of 2009 at The Franciscan School, and returning as a 7th-grade ELA teacher has been a full-circle experience. Mrs. Bulick grew up in the TFS community and spent time as a substitute teacher while attending college. Since joining the faculty in 2021, she shares that “It feels like I have the opportunity to give back to a community that helped shape me as a person.”

After earning her middle grades education degree from UNC-Chapel Hill, she started teaching and then earned her master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from North Carolina State University. Melissa began her teaching career as a sixth- and seventh-grade English language arts teacher at another nearby Catholic school. Today, as an ELA teacher at TFS, she enjoys helping students grow academically, spiritually, and developmentally.

One of the most rewarding aspects of teaching at TFS for Mrs. Bulick is being part of a community that values the whole child. She especially appreciates TFS's vibrant community, which cares about academics, athletics, and spirituality. “I love having a place where I can share my faith and let the students know I'm praying for them and rooting for them, even after they graduate,” she shares.

Mrs. Bulick sees her role as an educator as an opportunity to help students build relationships and develop confidence while learning to support each other. A typical day in her classroom includes four ELA class sections, a House period, and sometimes electives, lunch duties, and study halls. “My main responsibility is the care and safety of my students, and that doesn’t change, no matter what hat I am wearing!”

One of her goals is to help every student discover a love of reading. “I tell the students at the beginning of the year that if they are a reader, my room will be like Heaven to them, but if they are not a reader, it's my goal to find at least one book that they don't hate. I have a pretty high success rate in that mission!”

Mrs. Bulick also recognizes the importance of helping students find a healthy balance with technology. This year, she returned to handwritten guided notes rather than having students use their Chromebooks, which helps them stay focused and ask better questions. “Even in the mornings last year, the 7th grade had a policy of no Chromebooks before the bell, and it was the highlight of my day to watch the 7th graders play games of UNO and 'Guess in 10,” she shares.

Similarly, Mrs. Bulick enjoys opportunities for students to connect face-to-face, including the annual Camp Hanes field trip. With phones put away, students encourage one another through ropes courses and team-building activities while building friendships with classmates they might not otherwise get to know.

Mrs. Bulick knows firsthand what makes this school special, having attended as a student. Now, as a teacher, she hopes to give her students the same encouragement and support she received growing up in the TFS community, instilling in them the importance of putting their faith into action and living out Catholic Social Teaching every day.