New Sky Ranch Dean Brings Award-winning Experience

Note: This is one in a series recognizing winners of the 2022-23 NHA Excellence Awards, a program that honors educators, deans, and administrative teams across our network.

The 2022-23 school year saw Melissa Romer (Leggett) develop an important characteristic – becoming a leader.

It was her second year teaching sixth grade at Landmark Academy at Reunion, having previously taught for eight years at National Heritage Academies (NHA) schools in North Carolina, Queen’s Grant Community School and Gate City Charter Academy.

It gave her new roles in her wing as a content leader, allowed her to help her colleagues, and empowered her in the classroom. For her efforts, she was honored as an Excellence in Teaching winner as part of the NHA Excellence Awards for the 2022-23 school year.

“It was a big year in leadership for me,” she said. “My management seminar, I had it down, and just really knowing families at this point after a couple years at Landmark made a huge difference. It was a wonderful year, and I gave it my all.”

Melissa Romer, right, and Landmark Principal Jenna Reeves.

Romer is beginning a new leadership phase for the 2024-25 school year at Sky Ranch Academy as the dean of upper elementary. While her time at Landmark has come to an end, she said it was amazing to see the care that the staff display and the dedication that goes into the culture at Landmark, which has earned the highest performance ranking in the state.

Romer has always wanted to be a teacher to make a difference in kids’ lives, striving to teach by example with a kind presence. She hopes each student remembers their time in her classroom as a place they can return to as they grow.

“I’m big on the Moral Focus virtues, so I think just making a difference, connecting with families, and making a lasting impact for their futures is to mold them to take over the world,” Romer said. “I would say above all that they know they’re loved and that I’m always here to support them.”

Keep up the excellent work, Mrs. Romer!
About Sky Ranch AcademySky Ranch Academy is a tuition-free, public charter school in Watkins, Colorado, serving students in kindergarten through seventh grade. It is part of the National Heritage Academies network, which includes more than 100 tuition-free, public charter schools serving more than 65,000 students in kindergarten through 12th grade across nine states. For more information, visit nhaschools.com.

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