Melissa Panara is a certified teacher and lifelong advocate of children. Even after twenty-four years in the field, she considers herself to be as much a learner as she is a teache...view moreMelissa Panara is a certified teacher and lifelong advocate of children. Even after twenty-four years in the field, she considers herself to be as much a learner as she is a teacher. Melissa believes in using humor, music, and open-ended play as powerful tools for connecting with children. When she isn't writing (or trying to find her cell phone), Melissa enjoys kayaking, doing crossword puzzles, and being in almost any audience, but especially those of musicals and local bands. A native Long Islander, Melissa now lives in Fairport, New York with her husband, two teenage children, and their goldendoodle, Ruby.view less