Melinda Gunn is a dedicated educator with more than 23 years of experience in Chicago Public Schools. She began her career at Amundsen High School, where she taught special education and played a pivotal role in launching the school’s AVID program—serving as both the AVID Coordinator and AVID Elective teacher. Her introduction to AVID professional learning in Chicago marked a turning point in her career, igniting a passion for excellence in teaching and student advocacy.

After 13 years at the high school level, Melinda transitioned to middle school, bringing the “AVID Way” to Richardson Middle School, where she now serves as the AVID Coordinator. In addition to her school-based leadership, Melinda has spent the past decade as an AVID Staff Developer, training educators nationwide on the power of the AVID College and Career Readiness Framework to transform instruction, build student agency, and drive academic success.