ATLANTA -- Former Petersburg educator Melanie Griffin-Hamlin has been named the nation's best school teacher during the the 2015 Ford Neighborhood Awards. The award was presented by Steve Harvey during the gala event in Atlanta Saturday.
The event showcases teachers and other community leaders.
Hamlin started her career at JEB Stuart Elementary in 2005 and has since moved to Texas where she teaches third grade.
The educator said she feels blessed to do something she loves and called the award an honor.
"Steve Harvey" airs weekdays at 4 p.m. on CBS 6.
About the Nation's Best School Teacher:
Melanie Griffin-Hamlin was named the Nation's Best School Teacher on Saturday, August 8, 2015 at the 2015 Ford Neighborhood Awards, an event that showcases exemplary teachers, coaches, churches and more, hosted by Steve Harvey. The Steve Harvey Morning Show is the number one syndicated morning show in America and has over six million weekly listeners.
In early May, thousands of nominations were made and Melanie finished in the Top 10. In June, nationwide voting took place. The Top 4 Nominees from each of the twelve categories were sent to Atlanta.
"Words cannot describe this entire process. To actually have been a part of it from beginning to end and come out as the winner makes me feel amazing. I have been blessed to do something that I love to do---teach. Most of the time it doesn't come with lots of accolades but this weekend I was celebrated by my family and friends, plus hundreds of well-known people. I gave my acceptance speech on the stage with Steve Harvey in front of a crowd of more than 15,000 people. I was able to meet some wonderful people and share my experience with others. My church motto is that we are to 'impact our generation with the love of God' and that's what I attempt to do in and out of the classroom. There are so many amazing educators out here doing extraordinary things on a daily basis so this belongs to us. Thank you so much for all of the love and support throughout this entire process."
After attending Zion Apostolic Day Care in Petersburg, VA for 10 years, Melanie began volunteeering there through high school and college summers. She is 1997 graduate of Matoaca High School. She graduated from Virginia Tech University with her Bachelor's in 2001 and Virginia State University with her Master's of Education in 2005.
Melanie began teaching with Petersburg City Public Schools at J.E.B. Stuart Elementary in 2005 until she relocated to the Austin, Texas area three years ago.
Melanie is the 2014 Manor Elementary School Teacher of the Year, 2014 Manor Independent School District Teacher of the Year, 2015 Texas Region 13 Teacher of the Year Semifinalist, 2015 Austin, Texas's Best Teacher from 96.3 R&B and most recently the 2015 Steve Harvey Neighborhood Award's Nation's Best Teacher.
She is married to Shiron Hamlin, Sr. and they have two children. Melanie is the daughter of Dr. Rebecca Branch-Griffin of Chester and Melvin and Zelda Griffin of Petersburg. She is the sister of Dana Griffin-Graves (Arkell) and Justin Griffin (Ciarra) of Chesterfield.
She is a third grade teacher, a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, a lifelong member of Zion Apostolic Christian Memorial Temple in Petersburg until relocating to Texas, where she is now a member of Agape Christian Ministries.
Melanie enjoys working with children, spending time with family, traveling, cooking and writing.
