Highland Junior High School
Mesa, AZ
Melanie Whitfield brings passion, dedication, and a wealth of experience to her classroom at Highland Junior High School in the Gilbert School District, where she has been teaching since 2019.
Melanie was introduced to the James Madison Legacy Project Expansion (JMLPE) program in 2023 when she contributed as a control group teacher. In the summer of 2024, she expanded her involvement by attending a We the People Summer Institute and officially joining JMLPE as a cohort teacher. Since then, she has effectively incorporated the We the People curriculum into her 8th-grade social studies classes, using simulated congressional hearings as a powerful learning tool.
Melanie went above and beyond to prepare her students for success, ensuring they could confidently demonstrate their knowledge during the simulated hearings. She went the extra mile by organizing community members to serve as judges for the hearings, creating an authentic and engaging experience for her students. Her dedication paid off, and she successfully led three teams to showcase their knowledge at the 2025 We the People State Showcase!
Outside of the classroom, Melanie has a background in journalism, having worked as an education reporter, field producer, and writer at ABC15 News in Phoenix. She is also a mother of six, president of her school’s booster club, and an active leader in various service organizations. A strong advocate for voting rights and civic education, she is currently pursuing National Board Certification for Professional Teaching Standards.
Melanie’s commitment to law-related education and civic engagement makes her an inspiring role model and an invaluable part of the community.