Longtime English Department Chair Melanie Berkey leaves to teach at Oakwood

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AWARDEE: Ms. Melanie Berkey won the Milken Jewish Educator Award in 2009.

In an email to the Shalhevet Community yesterday at 4:35 pm, English teacher and Humanities Dean Ms. Melanie Berkey wrote that she will be leaving Shalhevet after the end of this year to teach at Oakwood School in North Hollywood. She has been at Shalhevet for the past 17 years. Here is the complete text of her letter.

To the Shalhevet Community,

I write with deeply mixed emotions to inform all of you that I will be leaving Shalhevet at the end of the school year. Over the last 17 years, I have been privileged to participate in the evolving identity of the school and to work with so many incredible students and colleagues.
An unexpected opportunity has arisen for a teaching position at Oakwood School, where my husband, Phu, teaches and where we have dreamed of sending our son. My working there would enable Oliver’s tuition to be fully covered and for him to receive an education we could otherwise never provide him. I just want to clarify that I was not actively pursuing other jobs or looking to leave Shalhevet; however, I simply cannot pass up this opportunity to secure my son’s future.

Shalhevet will forever occupy an important piece of my heart; I grew up as a teacher here, and even met my husband and started my family here. As difficult as it feels to close this chapter, I leave beyond excited about the school’s future. I will do whatever I can to help ease the transition and to find the very best English teacher that we can to ensure our students continue to receive the highest quality education. I wish Shalhevet nothing but continued success as it moves into the beautiful new space and an exciting new phase of leadership.

Gratefully,
Melanie Berkey

Related: Ms. Berkey is leaving for Oakwood School