My name is Jane Melven, and I am teaching first grade this school year.  I am so excited to be teaching first grade at Harbison West because I began my career here at Harbison West as a student teacher in first grade my senior year at the University of South Carolina.  I have over 30 years of teaching experience in Lexington Richland Five, and I am looking forward to the opportunity to bring life to the magic of learning for my students.  I am a native of Irmo and after graduating from Irmo High School, I continued my education at the University of South Carolina where I graduated with a degree in Education.  I also obtained a Masters degree in Education from the University of South Carolina and National Board Teacher Certification in Early Childhood.  My husband and I have three children.   In my free time, I love spending time with my family, gardening, reading, grilling out, playing Scrabble, watching sports games, and boating on Lake Murray.  I know this is going to be a wonderful year of learning for my students and look forward to teaming with their parents to help each child reach his or her fullest potential.