Our Mission
Our mission is to connect teachers with ideas that facilitate their professional freedom, financial confidence, and personal fulfillment.
Our Vision
Our vision is to promote the improvement of education by prioritizing and elevating the lives of teachers.
Meet the Team
Amanda Melsby
Teacher and Administrator
High School – 20 years
Master’s Degree
Educational Leadership, 2012
Doctoral Candidate
Educational Leadership, 2023
Amanda’s Professional Journey
I knew I wanted to go into teaching from an early age–I was the one who played school with my stuffed animals and dreamed about having literary discussions with a roomful of teenagers.
Over the years, I worked hard to improve my teaching, create connections with students and be part of the school community. As rewarding as that was, I looked up and years had passed and I felt far behind in other areas of my life.
What was my next step and why did I feel guilty contemplating it?
It was not until I moved into an assistant principal role that I realized my true passion is centered around teachers, acknowledging their work, and trying to be a support in their professional and personal journeys–wherever that journey took them.
Brad and I had the idea to create Nine Years In as a place to elevate teachers and build a community where the true worth of teachers can be realized. Whether that means staying in the classroom or moving into a different role, we want to be part of your journey.
Teachers need to prioritize their lives and happiness without guilt.
Amanda Melsby Co-founder
Brad Melsby
Teacher
Middle and High School – 19 years
Master’s Degree
Educational Technology, 2018
Credentialed Teacher in CA and NY
Brad’s Professional Journey
My teaching career started by lucking into a job when an opening popped up mid-year. It was a “We need someone Monday; here is the key” type of interview. I put my head down and worked hard.
After some years and much growth, I was ready to explore other teaching opportunities. Even though I was, by all accounts, an effective teacher, I had little idea how to interview at a high level or draft the type of resume needed for competitive openings. My initial job queries were largely ignored by other districts.
I needed to change my mindset.
As a society, we exalt teachers who “selflessly” give of themselves in the name of student success and happiness. From purchasing supplies out of pocket to those Saturday morning test review sessions, the commitment of teachers to do what is best for students continues to amaze me.
Here’s the problem: it somehow feels wrong to seek professional or financial gain in a system like that. This mindset needs to change.
The best thing for students is happy, successful teachers.
Brad Melsby Co-founder
Nine years in…
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Move to a “better” district?
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Make the leap to administration?
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Double down on that retirement account?
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Leave education altogether?
While there are many educator conferences, lesson planning blogs, or new school initiatives (“NSI” as we call them), there are very few resources helping teachers advance professionally, financially, or personally.
It’s embarrassing to look back, but after teaching for nine years, we had little idea how to write a competitive resume or interview intelligently about the job we successfully did every day. Teaching doesn’t prepare you for your next thing; it prepares you for your next year of teaching.
We believe the field of education is better when the careers, success, and lives of teachers are prioritized.
-Brad and Amanda Melsby