Get to Know Melissa van Wijk
Melissa van Wijk leads Gymtime’s youngest students in discovery and adventure through movement, gym and sign language. Find more about Ms. Melissa right here!
What is your role here at Gymtime? I direct and teach the Tiny Tot Fitness program.
What is the best part of your job? The opportunity to help infants develop to their fullest potential, teaching them certain skills including sign language.
What was your first job? Babysitter.
Where did you grow up? Holland.
What is your favorite activity to do outside of work? Pilates.
What is something most people would be surprised to learn about you? That this isn’t my only teaching job. I also teach dance to special needs children in the public school system.
What are three things you never leave the house without (besides your wallet, keys and phone)? Something to read, business cards and a fold-up reusable shopping bag so I don’t have to use plastic bags at stores.
If you could meet one person dead or alive, who would it be? My aunt, Astrid.
What is your favorite…
Book? I don’t really have one, but I will admit to being a huge fan of the Harry Potter series. I just read “Unequal Fortunes; Snapshots from the South Bronx” by Arthur Levine, which I’d highly recommend to any educator.
Movie? I don’t have one favorite, but one of my more recent favorites is “Wolf of Wall Street.”
Song? I listen to a lot of music and don’t have one favorite.
Food? Vegan.
TV Show? The Daily Show.
Early bird or night owl? Night owl.
Coffee or tea? I drink crazy amounts of herbal tea every day.