Melissa Coccia

Melissa is the proud mother of five children, four of whom are currently in Wissahickon School District (10th, 3rd, 2nd  grade & preschool). She was born and raised in South Philly and worked serving her community as a Philadelphia Police Officer for almost fifteen years before an injury forced her to retire. For the next five years, Melissa enjoyed a brief period of semi-retirement and full-time parenting as she focused on raising her children.

 

When the desire to serve her community crept back in, it led her to employment as a Foster Care Peer Partner with Bethanna, a foster care, adoption, and behavioral health agency where she has worked for nearly a year. At Bethanna, Melissa plays an essential role in assisting foster and kinship parents to maintain their credentials by training them and processing required state and federal clearances. In the in-between she builds relationships, encouraging and advising foster families with their everyday struggles. Melissa has completed many trainings in order to keep up with state guidelines and to equip her for the task of advising foster families appropriately. Her love for public service has motivated her for the better part of two decades.

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Melissa decided to move her family to the Wissahickon community in order to give her children the opportunities that the amazing Wissahickon School District has to offer. Her heart and soul are invested in her community and she wants to collaborate with the families, teachers, and staff to achieve the best outcomes for the children of the Wissahickon School District. 

Melissa's professional experience in public safety and human services affords her a unique and balanced perspective in viewing all sides of a situation. She believes this experience will be essential in her service as a fair-minded and diplomatic school board member in the Wissahickon community.