Melissa Dittman is a new addition to Black Hills Special Services Coop as an RDA Learning Specialist. She spent the last 16 years as a teacher in special education and general education in Akron, IA, Sioux Falls, SD and Rapid City, SD. Melissa earned her B.S. in Special Education and Elementary Education, and her M.A. in Special Education and Curriculum and Instruction at the University of South Dakota. Her teaching experiences include: a self-contained special educator working with high needs students, a behavior strategist, a middle school special educator in a self-contained classroom for students with behavioral needs, and an elementary teacher for a pilot school for Mass Customized Learning. 

In addition to her teaching experiences, she also was a mentor for new teachers, PBIS team member, a partner with the COP (Committee of Practice), an evaluation team leader for her building, and was a team member in the development of the  National Science Standards for the Common Core Connectors. 

Melissa and her husband, James both have a passion for helping individuals with disabilities. In her free time, she enjoys listening to her husband’s band Flannel, going on adventures with her two children and dogs, and spending time with her family and friends.