Melinda Soliwoda is a fifth grade teacher at North Pembroke Elementary School in Pembroke, Massachusetts. She has spent the last 12 years teaching fifth grade, after completing field work both in Rhode Island and Rome, Italy.

Melinda's first experience at BLC13 transformed her view of teaching and learning, and she continues to share these 21st century tools with her school and colleagues to empower more students to create, connect, and collaborate digitally and globally.

Melinda was the recipient of the Teacher of the Year Award for her district in 2008. As a technology pioneer for her school, she has provided professional development, training, and workshops using Web 2.0 tools. Melinda received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education and a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics through Salve Regina University and a Master of Education degree for Curriculum and Design through Fitchburg State University.