Patience, understanding, and flexibility. These are the three words Melodi Dominic lives by in her work with Cuyahoga Heights Schools’ youngest learners. As an Educational Aide to the Pre-K program, Dominic’s nurturing nature supports students with a wide range of personalities and needs. Her supportive, caring, and encouraging ways are what cast Dominic in the Staff Spotlight for May, and what earned her recognition from the Cuyahoga Heights Board of Education at the May 26 meeting.
“She greets students each morning with warmth and enthusiasm, welcoming them with a cheerful ‘Hi, friends’,” said Doug DiDio, district bus washer and substitute driver, who nominated her for the award. “Through smiles, high-fives, encouragement, and meaningful interactions, she creates a positive start to their day.”
Dominic goes above and beyond to care for students in both big and small ways, from helping buckle them into their seats safely to sending them home with positive affirmations and ensuring every child feels seen, supported, and valued.
Dominic joined the district in 2023 after subbing for one year. Previously she worked with every grade level in elementary schools in Illinois and I was a pre-k teacher at a Goddard school. She says she feels fortunate to be working in the district. “It is unlike any other,” she said. “I absolutely LOVE what I do because I am a four-year-old at heart.” She primarily helps the students with art projects and also helps teachers Kyle Manfredonia and Kelsey Healy with various tasks.
“I love finding new art materials to get the students excited,” noted Dominic. “It is so fun watching them learn to create through art projects. Working with pre-k students has taught me how incredibly kind the children in this district are! They have such big hearts and smiles!” Over the years, she has also learned that it’s OK to slow down now and then. “Not everything has to be done quickly,” she said.
When she’s not engaging with the pre-k students, Dominic enjoys gardening, playing with her pet reptiles, and spending time with her family. She also enjoys food preparation. “I make amazing pickles,” she noted. If she weren’t in her current position, she said she’d be a gardener or a reptile store owner.
Sharing her mantra “working hard not hardly working,” Dominic encourages young minds to take advantage of every learning opportunity while still showing kindness and understanding to each and every one. She enjoys it when, years later, one of her former students recites the motto back to her word for word. A punctual person, she is known for always being on time. “I hate being late. I’m never late to anything,” she proudly exclaims.
She and her husband, Josh, have a daughter, Adrianna, a sixth grader at Cuyahoga Heights Middle School, and a son, Xander, a fourth grader at Cuyahoga Heights Elementary School. The family, along with a dog, two cats and four reptiles, resides in Seven Hills.