I first met Mel at the Meet the Teacher event before my son, Alec, started in her P1 class. I told her Alec responded best to "firm but kind" and she said that was her speciality - she was totally right. I was part time at my own school that year and I volunteered to go in and help one morning a week, so I saw at first hand what an amazing teacher Mel was. She was lovely with the children - funny, gentle, but no nonsense. If I could have hand picked a teacher for Alec's first year at school, she would have been my choice. P1 teachers have a special place in our lives and our family will always remember Mel and what a great start she gave Alec.