Today we’d like to introduce you to Michelle Forde.
Hi Michelle, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My passion for education was instilled in me at a very early age as I would help my mom with a weekly Storytime for children at our home afterschool. My mom loved to read stories and sing with the kids and I was very shy but loved the stories she would tell the children. My father was a reader as well and encouraged me to read books that inspired growth in our faith.
My passion led me into the field of Elementary Education where I began my career as a Kindergarten Teacher who loved teaching children. I learned as a teacher that every child had a different style of learning and my classroom was a mixed group of gifted children who excelled and children who were on the spectrum with special abilities needing more individualized care.
I learned quickly that the “curriculum” was not conducive to meet the challenges that some of the children faced so I began thinking outside of the box and came up with new concepts to teach on every child’s learning skill ability. I made learning fun for every child . I discovered that the tone thing that every child connected to was stories. If you made learning fun for them they would succeed and even excel in that subject. I also knew that every child who entered the doors of my classroom would determine in that year if they loved school / learning or hated it. We all know that the latter is unacceptable so I decided that every day in my classroom was going to be an adventure of learning for everyone and no child would be left behind. They would be ready to meet the next year’s school year as it was my job to prepare them for their future of learning.
After many years of teaching, I became a Youth Services Program Coordinator / Librarian for the Nassau County Public Library System. I have been in this role for the past 21 years and loved every second of it. In my position I plan / implement programs for children ages Birth to Young Adults for all five libraries in Nassau County.
My passion is to plan / implement programs that foster a lifelong love of reading and learning and it is detrimental to begin at a very early age to set them up for a successful life. Through my role as Youth Services Program Coordinator / Librarian, I have tried many various strategies to enhance our Storytimes and sometimes I couldn’t find that “perfect” song or story so I would write one myself and try it out on my little ones at Storytime. They were a huge hit and thus my first song “We’re Going on An Egg Hunt” was turned into my first Published Book, “Mel’s Egg-Venture with Gunner the Runner and Friends”
I also published the Coloring Book to go along with it.
I wanted my book accessible to everyone and the ability of direct to consumer and thought about what next steps should be taken. My passion and dedication to instill a lifelong love of reading and learning along with my love for writing, sparked a desire to do more than I was as Youth Services Program Coordinator / Librarian. I wanted to branch out and reach more than those just within the Nassau County community.
In March 2022 my business “Adventures With Mel” was born.. If you make reading and learning an exciting Adventure, children will respond and excel at learning. as Every day should be an Adventure in Learning. I have a very diverse background in music, writing, storytelling and love visiting Schools, daycares, Summer Camps, Libraries , etc.
I am in the process of building my Adventures with Mel business
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has not been a smooth road. I have learned that you have to make time to build the business. I have not done much advertising / promoting of the business as I am still working full time position. My goal is to begin advertising / marketing more in an effort to gain more clients making it possible to ensure the success of Adventures with Mel.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
For the pat 20 Years I have been the Youth Services Program Coordinator / Librarian for the Nassau County Public Library System. I plan / implement programs for ages Birth to Young Adult for all five libraries in Nassau County. I not only plan programs I am at every event fully involved. My passion is beginning emergent literacy skills and instilling a lifelong love of reading and learning. We have record attendance at our Storytimes where I provide an Interactive Sing Along Storytime for toddler age children birth to 5years of age. This program is designed to train parents / caregivers how to choose age appropriate books, how to read / sing with their littles ones so that they are engaged with them. It is the foundation of learning and detrimental to the success of every child to begin at an early age preparing them for school and learning. I also plan implement afterschool programs for elementary age group, Tween / Teen Programs, and Special Family Programs. In the Summer we offer Summer Reading Programs for all of Nassau County regions: Fernandina Beach, Yulee, Callahan, Hilliard, and Bryceville.
I believe that we are all given unique gifts and abilities and I know that my passion has always been to work with children. I have spent my life working with children and have a heart for all learning abilities. I have a heart for those with special learning abilities and am passionate about making a difference in their lives.
I have never been in the career of teaching / program planning as librarian for financial gain but rather to make an impact and change to lives of everyone I come in contact with. Being that person that genuinely cares and loves them. Cheering them on to become all that they can so that one day they may fill the gap and make a difference in someone else’s life.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
I used to be an introvert, scared to speak out. I would rather be in my room reading a book than carrying on a conversation. I was extremely shy. My family traveled and sang and I would do that but was always scared to death to be up on the stage.
I was trained in music and love to sing, sang in the children’s choir at school and church up through college. My passion and love was writing though. I entered contests and competitions and won because I had a very creative imagination. I have over 30 titles written down that I want to publish within the next two years.
When not at work or daycares, I am the one who sits quietly and listens / observes others in the room. Storytelling and Singing with children is what brings me out of my shell. I could perform in front of hundreds of children and would be fine, in front of adults may be a different story LOL.
Pricing:
- I am happy to work with budget so prefer to be contacted for pricing.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.adventureswithmel.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michlle0708/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MelsAdventutes
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@storytimewithmel8626
