Melissa Dodoro is a mom of four, Royal Oak resident of 18 years and 2026 school board candidate.

Education is so much more than curriculum, it is the community we create. That is why as a school board member, I hope to offer the perspective of what we’re seeing as policies become practice in our schools while also engaging parents in a clearer path of communication to the board office. Being a parent in the schools in which you serve is a perspective we need to see more of.

Melissa has worked as a corporate photographer for 20 years and most recently has been home raising her kids. She is the PTA president at Oakland Elementary, is a room parent in her children’s classrooms and volunteers whenever possible. She is on the Royal Oak Parks and Recreation Board where she has enjoyed contributing to the places Royal Oak families love so much.

Early in her career, she started as a volunteer mentor and then worked part-time helping to facilitate after school photography programing for Focus: Hope. She also has experience volunteering with two international NGOs in India and Honduras where she helped create after school art programming for youth in those communities.

She believes in being an active participant in your community with an emphasis on collaboration first instead of criticism. She loves Royal Oak Schools and is invested in not only her children’s education but the education of all of our children.