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Building on a family legacy of excellence in education, Melissa Rushin Irr began her career in education as a special education and classroom teacher. After the birth of her second child, she left the classroom for “just a year” to homeschool her older son. In that year, the family fell in love with homeschooling and the community of learners they joined and decided to continue their homeschooling journey.

In 2006, Melissa formed the first microschool in Yuma, AZ as she welcomed other homeschooling students into her home to join together as Journeys Education. For the next 12 years, Melissa and her students joyfully learned through curiosity, creativity, play, and community. Most of her students have since graduated and moved into their adult lives continuing to learn and pursue jobs and careers that are meaningful to them.

In the spring of 2017, Melissa temporarily stopped Journeys Education to take on the role of Executive Director of the Children’s Museum of Yuma County. In her 6.5 year tenure with the organization, she built local, regional, state, and national support for the museum that opened its doors to the public in April 2023.

After leaving the museum, it was time to return to Journeys Education, this time offering classes and workshops along with consulting services in education, homeschooling, nonprofits, and emerging museums.