Melissa Brown is a reading specialist at Salisbury Academy.

Years teaching: 27 years (preschool through eighth grade)

Family: Husband, Paul; daughter, Tina and her husband, Micah DeLoach; son, Patrick Brown and his wife Kelsey

Favorite food: Anything chocolate

Favorite color: Dusty blue

Favorite TV show: “Downton Abbey” and “The Middle”

Favorite book: Historical fiction – at the present time my favorite is “Blue,” by Joyce Hostetter. The book is set during the 1940s Polio epidemic in Hickory. This is an Elementary Battle of the Books required

Favorite movies: “A Christmas Story,” “Marley and Me” and “Must Love Dogs”

Favorite sport or team: Appalachian State University Mountaineers

Hobbies: Reading, cooking, gardening

Dream vacation: European castles and churches/cathedrals

Prized possession: My pets – Arthur, Lucy and Sasha

Actor who would star in the movie of my life: Diane Lane

Hidden talent: Vacation planning using Groupon and discount coupons

Motto: “Use your imagination. Discover the world. READ!”

Three words that describe me: Caring, patient, passionate

Someone who inspires you: My husband and children inspire me to continue to be a life-long learner. They are my support system.

Greatest accomplishment: Being a supportive wife and mother. Also, earning my master’s degree in reading education/literacy.

Favorite quote: “The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more you learn, the more places you’ll go.” — Dr. Seuss