Working for a school district isn’t exclusive to being a teacher.  Salem-Keizer Public Schools employees over 2,100 staff members working in a wide variety of jobs including bus drivers, instructional assistants, custodians, AVID Tutors, Child Care Assistants and so many other opportunities.

Melody Ogami is a School Office Specialist at Richmond Elementary School. She is often the first person parents and students interact with when they come to school.

Richmond Elementary Principal Bonney Dietrich and Office Manager Nancy Dickerman both describe Melody as a “ray of sunshine” who makes everyone who visits the school feel good.

The feeling is mutual. Melody says, “It always gives me a good feeling to work with them, it’s such a blessing to be here. I love it.”

Melody has worked as a support professional for 7 years. She started as an Instructional Assistant in the Bridge Program at South Salem High School, and also worked as a substitute Instructional Assistant filling in where needed at schools across the district. She’s been at Richmond for 4 years.