Melanie Olmos

A Riverside native, Melanie attended the University of Oklahoma on a full softball scholarship and played for two years. During her time there, she was proud to be part of the university’s 2017 National Championship team. She later returned home to California and earned her bachelor’s degree in Liberal Studies from the University of California, Riverside. Melanie continued her education at Whittier College, completing a dual graduate program in Education and earning her teaching credential. Melanie has been teaching kindergarten since 2024 and knew immediately that it was where she was meant to be. She believes kindergarten is a magical time filled with tremendous growth, discovery, and joy. Her favorite part of teaching is watching her scholars smile, overcome challenges, make new connections, and feel proud of what they have accomplished. She loves finding fun and engaging ways to make learning something her scholars look forward to each day. Professionally, Melanie strives to create a classroom where every scholar feels welcomed, supported, valued, and confident in their abilities. Building meaningful relationships with scholars and their families is especially important to her. More than anything, she hopes to be a positive light in her scholars’ lives and wants them to know that she will always be there to encourage them and have their backs—even after they leave her classroom! One of Melanie’s greatest accomplishments is her journey as a student-athlete. Playing softball at the collegiate level taught her the importance of commitment, perseverance, teamwork, and balancing responsibilities. The experience helped shape her into the person and educator she is today while allowing her to pursue two of her greatest dreams: playing the sport she loves and becoming a teacher who inspires and supports others. Outside the classroom, Melanie’s greatest joy is being a mom. She loves taking her daughter on little adventures, exploring new places, and watching her creativity and imagination grow. Melanie also enjoys hiking, going on walks, scrapbooking, reading children’s books with her daughter, and sharing coffee or matcha dates with her family. Her faith is an important part of her life, and she enjoys attending church with her fiancé and daughter on Sundays. Her favorite food is tacos—always with a good salsa and horchata! What Melanie loves most about REACH is its strong sense of community and the way everyone makes others feel welcomed and supported. She appreciates being part of a school where people genuinely care, collaborate, and help one another feel that they belong. Melanie is excited to begin this new adventure and make a positive difference in the lives of REACH scholars and families.