Lafayette Spotlight: MeLaina Mincher

Meet Melaina Mincher! This staff member has many talents you could never guess. Read on to learn more.

INTERVIEW

Q – Where are you from originally?

A – I am originally from Yorktown VA.

Q – How long have you been teaching, and how long at LHS?

A – I have been teaching at Lafayette for 7 years. I was a home schoolteacher for 5 years and did SOL remediation in Henrico before becoming a substitute in Williamsburg. 

Q – Where did you go to college?

A – I went to Longwood university for 2 years, then went to William and Mary to get MFA in poetry. I then attended Bennington college in Vermont. 

Q – What subject(s) do you teach?

A – I teach English 11, AP Lang College Comp. I used to teach creative writing, and helped out with yearbook this year.

Q – Why did you become a teacher?

A – I had good English teachers in high school who inspired my love of writing and on a personal level they were influential people who changed my life.

Q – Do you have any advice for young people today?

A – One piece of advice for young people is that a change to your path is OK. Also, having many different jobs is OK because it makes well-rounded people. Progress over perfection!

Q – If you could live anywhere, where?

A – I would live in Florence, Italy. If I had to stay in the states, I would live in Asheville, NC.

Q – What is your biggest obstacle in life?

A – My biggest obstacle would be struggling with boundaries and knowing when to say “no” for myself.

Q – 5 years from now, do you still see yourself at LHS?

A – In 5 years, I would love to still be at Lafayette to see my kids being here.