The desire to connect with others through mathematics is what brought Mele to High Tech High Media Arts, where she has been teaching for the past 13 years. From incorporating place-based learning and the social sciences into mathematics, Mele seeks to create learning experiences with her students so that they may be empowered by mathematics to create social change. She holds a B.S. in Mathematics from Harvey Mudd College, an M.Ed. in Teaching and Learning from U.C. Santa Barbara, and an M.Ed. in Educational Leadership from the High Tech High GSE. Mele strives to create meaningful experiences with all students and adults so that they may connect and influence each other in life and in learning.