Ralf Melis
Math
✉︎ rmelis@millerschool.org
☏ 434-823-4805, ext. 1024
B.A., University of North Carolina at Asheville
M.A., University of Phoenix
Ralf Melis was born and raised in the Netherlands and still considers himself a Dutchman. However, in the summer of 2013 he obtained his United States citizenship as well, and he now is a proud dual citizen. Ralf, Kristi, and Jordan Melis became a part of the Miller community in August of 2011. They enjoy living on campus, eating in the dining hall, watching different athletic events, and they use all the trails extensively to walk their four-legged family member Tazz.
Ralf attended the University of North Carolina at Asheville. He graduated from Asheville summa cum laude with a bachelor of arts in business and a minor in economics. Ralf attended Asheville on a basketball scholarship and he still follows the Bulldogs closely. Ralf was recognized nationally for his success in the classroom and on the court as a Third Team Academic All-American in 1995. He was also recognized by the Big South Conference as the recipient of the George A. Christenberry Award for Academic Excellence, an award given each year to one male student-athlete and one female student-athlete who attain the highest grade point averages during their college careers and are graduates of a member institution. Upon graduation Ralf played basketball professionally in Europe for teams in Belgium, Portugal, and the Netherlands. During this time he also represented his country as a member of the Dutch National Team.
After retiring from basketball Ralf and Kristi moved to Mesa, Arizona in 2001 where he started his teaching career. While teaching at a charter school he enrolled at The University of Phoenix and earned his Master in Secondary Education. He has taught classes ranging from 6th grade mathematics to AP Statistics. He really enjoys problems that combine algebra with other fields of mathematics, and particularly problems that can be solved through multiple approaches. He is often amazed at the richness of approaches his students use when they solve these types of problems.