From left: DOC Education Administrative Supervisor Jeffrey Magnani; Deputy Secretary of Reentry Kelly Evans; SCI Muncy Cosmetology Instructor Melladee Waxmunsky; DOC Education Director Terri Fazio; and Bureau of Reentry Coordination and JRI2 Director Daniel McIntyre.
SCI Muncy Cosmetology Instructor Melladee Waxmunsky has been selected for Region 1 Teacher of the Year by the Correctional Education Association (CEA)! She accepted this prestigious award at the International CEA Conference held in Austin, Texas, from Aug. 22–25.
Waxmunsky started her career with the PA DOC in 2014 as a cosmetology instructor at SCI Muncy. Before that, she was a cosmetology instructor at Empire Beauty School from 2008 to 2013. Waxmunsky received the Educator of the Year Award in 2013 from Empire Beauty School and has also received a DOC Performance of the Year Award.
Waxmunsky also received an official resolution certificate by the Pennsylvania senate congratulating her for receiving her CEA award.
She is a member of Professional Beauty Association (PBA) and attends the International Beauty show in New York to keep her skills sharp.
"For myself, teaching provides an opportunity for continual learning and growth," Wasmunsky said of teaching inmates. "One of my hopes as an educator is to instill a love of continual learning in my students, as I share my own passion for education. The cosmetology field is continually changing and you must stay up to date with the current trends. In this competitive industry it is important for students to not only receive a solid education, but to work with someone who is aware of and sensitive to their individual learning styles, whether it be theory or practical, just being able to make sure they understand the material and why it is done that way to achieve the final look."
From left: SCI Muncy Superintendent Wendy Nicholas;
SCI Muncy Cosmetology Instructor Melladee Waxmunsky; and Deputy Superintendent for Centralized Services Nicole McKee.