Hi! My name is Melanie Castens and I am excited to be a part of the Taylor Early Childhood Center.  I have one brother who is 5 years older than me.  After I graduated high school, I attended Jefferson College while working in several daycares/preschools.  I have been a childcare director, a preschool teacher with 3-year-olds, two-year-olds, and an infant teacher.  After 12 years of working in the childcare field, I decided to go back to school to be a teacher and specialize in Early Childhood Special Education.  While I was working on my teaching degree, I worked as a paraprofessional/aide at Festus Elementary school with special education students.  I graduated from Missouri Baptist University in 2009 with my teaching degree and was hired by the Dunklin R-5 district.  This will be my ninth year of teaching.  

     I am married to a wonderful man, Larry, who is a railroad laborer.  We have one son, Dalton; he is 13 years old and attends Senn Thomas Middle School.  We also have two dogs; a puggle and a black lab. My family and I enjoy trail riding four-wheelers and hanging out at Clearwater Lake, where we have a family cabin. 

     I am so excited to be your child's teacher and for them to be a part of my classroom.  I would like to welcome you and your child to the Taylor Early Childhood Center.  

A Few of My Favorite Things:

Favorite color:  Orange

Favorite Season:  Fall

Favorite Food:  Pasta Con Broccoli

Favorite Fast Food:  Thai Rama

Favorite Drink:  Diet Dr. Pepper

Favorite Sport:  Volleyball

Favorite Animal:  Goat

Favorite Book:  How to Eat Fried Worms

Favorite Hobby:  Trail Riding and Four Wheelers