Yakking with Yante, Episode 7: Melanie Krause

Editors note: In this Episode of Yakking with Yante, Daniel interviews Melanie Krause. Melanie is one of beloved co-founders of The HUB Houston, and is currently the director of the High School program. They talk about how she got involved in this work and her background.

DY: How would you describe your time being both a teacher and a founder of the HUB Houston?

MK: I’d have to say I am so fortunate to be surrounded by incredible people at the HUB-- teachers, students and admin staff. It has been beyond imagination of such an incredible program unfolding, with incredible students/members to make it great to look forward to each day ahead.

DY: What were the origins behind branching out the HUB in different programs outside of High School like Life 101 Club Hub and Aspire?

MK: Well originally we were reaching out to families for a possible post graduate day program. But then Coach started getting phone calls. Then we said okay well, high school and post grads-- and then another family reached out and we couldn’t say no to them and we accepted middle school as well. I think overall it was opening our hearts to our friends and parents to find what they were looking for in an educational program. Ms. Wendy was in our brainstorming sessions along with Ms. Julia to begin with. 

We had a “Meeting with Friends” the week of Fourth of July, the Hodges purchased a space for us the next week (Galway). The Pierces brought us all of the starting furniture, the Leonards our washer/dryer, and other families donated such things as paper and school supplies. Anand Chokshi’s sister, Aditi, along with Dr. Neal Sarahan and Dr. Tara Devine helped us with a curriculum foundation, called the Journey of Belonging. Long story short, we had  faculty and students able to start by September 1st. It’s incredible about how we may not be in charge of HOW things happen, but we can take all of those opportunities given to us and create amazing things. 

Coach and parents worked to start a social program which started near the end of September in 2015. My husband Aaron had done some of that work at Monarch and with him, Ms. Lindsay and Mr. Ken (the next semester) the evening program evolved into what it is today. A few years ago, Aspire was a gift to us that Ms. Karen Rezai introduced us to the founder Denise Hazen and her program director Callie Strange. Reality speaking, our blessings continue to flow as we continue through the years.

DY: How would you describe your time working at the Monarch school & Institute?

MK: I learned so much there. It was an amazing place to be a first year teacher and beyond. I had so many mentors to help guide me and shape me into knowing relationships are the key to ultimate success. I actually knew the moment I saw the job description it was the one I wanted more than any of the others. Did you know they paid for me to come to Texas and have a day long “test” interview? That’s something I liked about the whole process-- giving me a shot with a full day tryout. There was room to make mistakes and there was room to grow. How many jobs can you say that about?

However,  I was so grateful that Dr. Marty Webb (founder of Monarch) supported us in our transition to creating the HUB-- along with Dr. Neal Sarahan and Dr. Tara Devine for helping with our beginning work in the “Journey of Belonging curriculum.” There are so many amazing teachers and people who were at Monarch. I’m glad that we have some that have joined us here at the HUB and know that relationship is key. 

DY: How did you have so many sponsors for field trips and mentor ships like Rocambolesc Jessie's Bites Blessings in a Backpack Etc?

MK: It’s all about the relationships, Ms. Kipp, Ms. Adrienne, Mr. Ken, Ms. Alison and Coach Russo have really worked on building our community partnerships. But so have Ms Shivali, Ms. Ashley, Ms. Julie, well actually I could list the whole faculty. It’s a group effort. 

DY: What was the building that The HUB uses for high school before it was bought and used by you guys?

MK: It was a paint company. The front house was the office. The Career Center was the paint warehouse, it had a rickety balcony built in the back of it. Everytime someone would go up there it would wobble some. We took that one down pretty soon afterwards. The HUB was the man cave. It had a corvette and a billiards table with a big screen TV. The walls used to be red and black, and there was a pretty great stereo system throughout. The creative zone was where the guy stored his RV. We have made it our own place for sure! Thanks to the Hodges for their generous donation.

DY: How would you describe being both a teacher and founder at the HUB for over 10 years and counting?

MK: I mean, to me this is a place that feels like a second home. I love the authenticity of faculty and members. Everyone, including students, works so hard to make the HUB be what it is and that’s a pride in work you can’t find many places. 

DY: What inspired you to become a Special needs teacher or really just a teacher in general ?

MK: I knew I wanted to be a helper and I had a love of reading and writing. I started a career in the IT field helping out my softball coach’s collection agency, but I knew there was more in store for me. I had actually wanted to work at an inner city school as an English teacher which I was glad to be able to spend a good amount of my pre-student teaching time at, but while I was student teaching at a middle school I fell in love with the quirkiness and realness of this boy who had autism named Scottie. He was an underdog and I just loved how hard he worked each day. My mentor teacher thought he was a bit off when he tried to open a locker door with his mouth. I thought to myself, “I wonder what made him do that?” And I love having the curiosity and journey of figuring out the “how to’s”.  So, despite my degree in Secondary Education English, and being asked to work at the school I student taught at, I figured I would try to apply at other places around the USA. Houston was not on my list, but when I saw a school hiring and ELA teacher for the neurologically different there was no looking back.

DY: Do you believe that over the years the HUB stays true to its mission? 

MK: Absolutely.

DY: If you have attended college? Where did you go? What were you studying and how did you enjoy it? 

Make it stand out

MK: I started at a community college called Chattanooga State Community College. I didn’t have a major for awhile, but secretly knew I was interested in teaching. I then went to the University of Tennessee Chattanooga where I was able to join the National Student Exchange and spend a semester at University of Massachusetts Amherst. It was an incredible experience. I loved college overall, but it did seem like a never ending journey until I graduated! 

DY: How do you feel about HUB Houston reaching its 10 year milestone this year in 2025? 

MK: Incredible, it doesn’t seem like 10 years!

DY: What are your future plans for HUB Houston going forward in the next few years?

MK: The HUB has grown larger so organically. I love the HUB and hope we all work to make it even “better than we found it” each day.

DY: Is it true that there are plans about getting a new bigger building that combines both Life 101 Club HUB and Aspire all at the same time?

MK: Wouldn’t that be cool? It’s been nice to dream about it as we move forward with our strategic plan. I mean, the HUB itself was just a dream until we did something about it.