About Rainbowland Action Initiative LLC

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Melissa Tempel(she/her) has been a licensed teacher since 2000. She is a National Board Certified Teacher(2017) with a Masters in Cultural Foundations of Education(2004). 

Melissa has received the following awards:

• Diverse & Resilient: Acceptance Journeys Award, 2015
• American Library Association: Stonewall Honor Award, 2017
• GSAFE: Teacher of the Year, 2019
• Stonewall Chorale of NYC: Honorary Member, 2023
• GSAFE: Expect My Resistance Award, 2023

In addition to presenting dozens of workshops on equity in education, Melissa developed and facilitates the course, LGBTQIA+ Inclusive Spaces, for WEA Academy. 

Melissa has over 20 years experience teaching primary grades in bilingual and dual language classrooms in public schools. She also has experience teaching undergraduate and graduate courses on LGBTQIA+ inclusive classroom practices, controversial content, and racial equity. She and her partner have 3 adult children and 3 dogs.

In April 2023, Melissa was abruptly removed from her position as first grade dual language teacher after a tweet she made brought national attention to harmful school board policies that impacted students and educators in her district. In July 2023 the school board terminated Melissa from her job and in response, in September 2023 she filed a first amendment lawsuit against the district and the superintendent. Melissa continues to advocate for students and speak out about the importance of inclusive school board practices.