Stephen Watkins-Melgarejo earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from Illinois State University in 2012 and a Master of Arts in Teaching from Hamline University in 2020. While at Illinois State, Stephen was invited to join and inducted into the Sigma Tau Delta International English Honors Society in 2012 based on academic and disciplinary excellence demonstrated in his studies and published creative works.
Stephen has worked as a cook and a writer, a manager and a teacher; everything from washing dishes to grading papers. In 2017, Stephen began his teaching career. He served as a Special Education teacher and English teacher in Twin Cities metro high schools, supporting all students in developing their social, emotional, academic, and post-secondary/transition capacities. During his time as a high school teacher, Stephen proudly served as an Equity Council member, as a team leader, as an advocate for student and faculty needs, and as a partner in staff development.
Stephen joined Red Lake Nation College as the Director of Distance Education in 2023.
