Melanie Sylvester is the Elementary School Principal at Saigon South International School. Her career spans Canada, Oman, Jordan, and Vietnam. She is the proud wife of a PE educator and they have two wonderful children who have grown up in international schools. Melanie received a Bachelor of Elementary Education with a focus on teaching English as a Second Language from the University of Alberta, Canada. She holds two Master’s degrees: one in Interdisciplinary Studies from the State University of New York in Buffalo, and another in International School Leadership from Wilkes University. 

Melanie has presented on topics such as empowering students to share their authentic voice, developing makerspaces and 21st-century skills, enriching math discussions through oral language, and mindfulness in the classroom. She believes deeply in the importance of creating safe, inclusive, and positive school cultures, as well as fostering positive relationships, teamwork, honesty, and community engagement. Her ultimate professional goal is to ensure that her students, faculty, and community members feel a sense of joy, belonging, and purpose.