Melanie Mischler, M.Ed.

I am a Lecturer in Education and an Education Field Coordinator in the Elementary and Early Childhood Education program at Penn State Behrend. I earned my Bachelor of Science in Education from Cairn University and my Master of Education, with Reading Specialist certification, from Edinboro University. I later completed post-master’s graduate work in Educational Leadership and Principal Certification at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, as well as additional preparation in English as a Second Language (ESL).

Before joining Penn State, I spent nearly three decades in K–12 education. I hold Pennsylvania certifications in English, Communications, Reading Specialist, Library Science, Grades 4–8, and English as a Second Language. Throughout my K–12 career, my work extended beyond the classroom to include gifted education, student advising, research, mentorship, literacy, and educational leadership.

At Penn State, my work focuses on teacher preparation, clinical experiences, and supporting pre-service teachers as they develop into confident, reflective educators. I am especially interested in mentorship, strengthening connections between K–12 schools and higher education, and creating meaningful, authentic experiences that prepare future teachers for the classroom.

Outside of work, I enjoy traveling, exploring history, spending time with my family, and adding to the character of our 1842 farmhouse. I’m also usually accompanied by Orie, our Border Collie, who seems to adore me...but I strongly suspect it’s because I’m the one who feeds him bologna.