After 28 years of teaching at Cinnaminson Middle School, Ms. Melissa DeClementi has moved to CHS to bring her energy, experience, and passion for wellness to the high school level. While this is her first full-time teaching role here, she is no stranger to the building, as she used to coach here during her time at the middle school. 

So why the switch? According to DeClementi, the move was all about embracing change. 

“Sometimes they move teachers just to change things up a little bit,” DeClementi said. “It wasn’t like I didn’t want to come or that I wanted to come. It was just- ‘how about a change?’”

With her positive attitude, she saw the transition as a chance to try something new and refreshing. Although she is settling into her new environment, DeClementi definitely misses parts of CMS. 

“I was just more involved there,” DeClementi said. “I ran all the activities and stuff. Here, I’m like new, it’s like I’m starting over.” 

Still, she sees the bright side, “It makes it a little more exciting, I think.”

One thing DeClementi said she enjoys most at the high school is seeing her former students all grown up. 

“It’s kind of neat to see how much they’ve matured over just a couple of years,” DeClementi said. 

She teaches all four grade levels and has noticed apparent differences between them, especially between freshmen and seniors. Freshmen are still getting used to just having headphones and their phones, while seniors have college and jobs on their minds, but she is impressed with all of them and enjoys the challenge of keeping everyone active. 

Coming to the high school, DeClementi has had to make some adjustments, including seeing students with all of their technology. “The craziest thing for me is seeing all the kids with headphones and stuff again,” she said. 

At the middle school, phones and earbuds were off-limits. Even with those changes, her transition has been smooth, and her impact is already being felt.

Junior Alianna Miller, who didn’t have DeClementi in middle school, shared her thoughts on DeClementi’s move. 

“I think it’s pretty cool that she’s here. From what I’ve heard, she’s a good teacher, and you can tell. Since she switched here, gym class has shifted. We now rotate activities each week instead of just picking one, and I really liked Frisbee. If we do archery again, I’d be really excited for that,” Miller said.

Looking ahead, DeClementi said she hopes to help students build lasting habits around fitness, wellness, and self-care. 

“When you’re older, no one’s going to tell you to go outside and exercise for 20 minutes,” DeClementi said. “You have to kind of want to do that and know the benefits of it. So I guess that’s kind of our job here – to teach that.”

DeClementi is especially passionate about helping students find physical activities they actually enjoy, whether that’s lifting weights, running, doing yoga, or playing a sport recreationally. 

“Not everyone’s going to play sports, right?” she said. “But everybody exercises or should. So what’s something that they can do later in life? Even through college?”

Being part of the high school has also allowed her to experience the rich traditions of CHS, like spirit week, homecoming, and the supportive school environment. 

“There are so many neat things about Cinnaminson High School,” DeClementi said. “Now I get to see the kids really flourish.”

DeClementi also discussed what being a part of the CHS community means to her.

“Definitely someone that believes in each other and understands the spirit of Cinnaminson,” DeClementi said. 

After nearly three decades in the district, DeClementi’s commitment to community, connection, and student growth is stronger than ever.