Teacher gets national honor

Maureen Melanson, a biology teacher at Methuen High School, was one of 23 teachers nationwide recognized with the National Math and Science Initiative All American Teacher Award, which she received at a recent ceremony in Washington, D.C. Three Massachusetts teachers were honored; Melanson was the only science teacher in the state to be recognized. During her 11 years at Methuen High, Melanson has encouraged students to challenge themselves by taking rigorous Advanced Placement classes; she was also instrumental in securing a state grant to help those efforts. As a result, over the last three years, the school has increased the number of students taking AP classes from 59 to 339. - Karen Sackowitz