Hanby Elementary School
Administrative Team
Dr. Melinda Tartaglione
Principal
I have been in education for 24 years, beginning my career teaching Spanish, German and English as a Second Language. I spent 3 years living in Germany and 1.5 years in Puerto Rico, as an exchange student first and then living there with my family. I entered education excited to teach children and share my love of languages, culture and the fun of communicating with others. I taught at the high school level for 15 years, have been at the middle school level for 7 years, and have 1 year at elementary. Through all of these years and levels, connecting and building relationships has been at the heart of my work. I care deeply about building strong academic systems and providing students with enriching experiences. Over the years, I have worked with AVID, International Baccalaureate, ESL, MTSS, BSAP, special education and Gifted and Talented, and have learned that it takes intentionality to help each program thrive and also the importance of bringing all of these pieces together as one strong school community. This is my 10th year in Brandywine School District and I have a Masters in Teaching and Supervision and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership.
I am married and have four children, and that is where all of my free time is spent. My oldest son has autism and he prefers the quiet of being in his quiet spaces, so we enjoy time at home together with his favorite music and videos, and going for walks. My two youngest are in middle school and love soccer, baking, and, of course, Minecraft. My second son is enjoying his career and I couldn’t be more proud of him. I enjoy gardening, reading, listening to Salsa, and just relaxing with my husband and kids. A dog, a bossy cat, and some fish round out the family.
With a commitment to building a strong community and an excellent educational program, I am very excited to join Hanby Elementary. I welcome the opportunity to meet and build strong ties with families and students, and I hope to connect with you soon at back-to-school events, tours, and special programming.
The school - home partnership is extremely important, so please reach out with any questions or just to connect.
Ms. Dana Jackson
Assistant Principal
My name is Ms. Dana Jackson. I am the proud Assistant Principal of Hanby Elementary. I’m thrilled to support teachers, staff, and students as we thrive each day.
I am a native of Wilmington, Delaware, with the fulfilling experience of leading within the Brandywine School District, where I learned as a child. I studied Elementary Teacher Education and School Leadership at the University of Delaware and Wilmington University. I began my first year as a teacher about 18 years ago. After teaching, I went on to become a Dean of Students, and am now enjoying my role as Assistant Principal.
In addition to being a life-long educator, I am committed to providing community service, teaching mindfulness and social-emotional education to teens, promoting literacy to young learners, and encouraging green sustainability practices within our surrounding area. In my personal life, I have the privilege of spoiling my 6-year-old goddaughter and living with one feisty and sophisticated fur baby. I like to begin my day with iced coffee and Apple Music. My favorite pastime activities are walking the Delaware River while listening to music, taking weekend road trips, swimming, making candles, attending outdoor festivals, and cruising antique shops.
I am enthusiastic about providing engaging and meaningful learning opportunities for all students. I truly believe that a good education is the foundation for a better future. I also believe in a partnership among staff, families, and students. Providing the tools for greatness is a team effort!
Administrative Assistants
- Martha Washington, Administrative Assistant
- Chakara Davis, Administrative Assistant