Susan Lee Melnick, 79, of Chicago, IL, passed away January 1, 2021, at the Citadel-Skokie, in Skokie, IL, from complications of the virus. She was retired Assistant Dean of the College of Education and Associate Professor Emeritus of the Department of Teacher Education at Michigan State University.
Susan was born in Bradford, on August 16, 1941, the only child of the late Anna Lena “Honee” (Popiel) and Joseph Bonnell Melnick. Throughout her lifetime she was the epitome of courage and independence.
Susan was a former member of Temple Beth El in Bradford.
She was a 1959 graduate of Bradford High School, received her B.A. in 1963 from the University of Pittsburgh, her M.A. in 1973 from the Teachers College, Columbia University, and earned her Ph.D. in Education and Curriculum in 1978 from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. In 1980 she joined the Michigan State University faculty of the Division of Student Teaching and Professional Development (later named the Department of Teacher Education). Her primary research and teaching interests focused on learning to teach diverse students; professional knowledge for teaching; the influence of state policy on teacher education and issues of race, class, gender and educational equity, both domestic and cross-national.
Dr. Melnick was a secondary English and Spanish teacher, held administrative and faculty positions at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, NY and the University of Hartford, and was a senior program officer for Teacher Corps (U.S. Office of Education). At Michigan State University she served as assistant chairperson for the Dept. of Teacher Education, co-director of the Professional Development Schools Program, and Assistant Dean for academic outreach programs. As Assistant Dean she had leadership responsibility for Graduate Studies in Education Overseas and development of MSU’s first fully online M.A. program. She taught undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral students throughout her tenure at MSU, retiring in 2011.
Dr. Melnick’s research experience included serving as Senior Researcher for the National Center for Research on Teacher Learning, the National Center for Research on Teacher Education and the Institute for Research on Teaching, all at MSU. She served as a consultant to the World Bank, U.S. Agency for International Development and the U.S. Department of Education.
Susan’s administrative and faculty positions allowed her to travel the world, teaching teachers in such countries as Thailand, Switzerland, and France. She was a mentor to many graduate students, guiding their research and helping them to achieve faculty positions of their own. She was a voracious reader, particularly enjoying a good mystery book as well as commentaries on politics and current events. Susan was a valued and respected colleague and enjoyed travel and good times with friends. She also had a great love for animals, particularly cats.
Surviving are her aunt Doris Baker Popiel, and several first cousins, including Harriet Popiel Powers, Molly Popiel Lindahl, Jon Popiel, Patricia Popiel Lehosky, and Joseph Popiel, as well as many second cousins, including Daniel Popiel and Heidi Popiel Worthington and their families. Also surviving are her friends, Cassandra Book, Carole Ames, Sharon Schwille, Lauren Sue Young, and their families.
In addition to her parents, Susan was predeceased by several cousins, aunts, and uncles, including Julian ”Dooley” Popiel.
Susan’s family wishes to thank her special caregiver, Abigail Wirtel, Care Manager Sara Carpenter White, Nurse MaryAnn Pehar and other staff of The Carrington at Lincolnwood, IL, plus Susan’s friends at 40 East Delaware Place in Chicago, IL, for their unwavering concern for and care of Susan.
Private services for family will be held at Beth Israel Cemetery in Bradford.
Memorial contributions, if desired, may be made to: Temple Beth El, ? Rick Weinberg, 41 Jackson Ave., Bradford, PA 16701; the ASPCA at www.aspca.org; The Anti-Cruelty Society at www.anticruelty.org; the Greater Chicago Food Depository at www.chicagosfoodbank.org; the Heifer Project International at www.heifer.org; or to a charity of the donor’s choice.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Hollenbeck-Cahill Funeral Homes Inc.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.hollenbeckcahill.com.