The nursing vacancy has been filled with the hiring of Mrs. Melissa Scottberg. Although Scottberg, who started on Jan. 27, is a new hire, she’s no stranger to the school.

With two daughters—a sophomore and a junior—attending Community and a role mentoring senior girls through a local church, Scottberg already feels a connection to the school.

Through those relationships, Scottberg said, “I kind of know most everybody.” 

A graduate of the Mennonite College of Nursing at Illinois State University, Scottberg earned her bachelor’s degree in pre-med and nursing. She began her career in hospital settings but sought a change when she started a family, transitioning into school nursing.

Scottberg began working in Unit 5 as a long-term nursing substitute before taking a full-time position at Cedar Ridge Elementary.

As part of the Unit 5 nursing team, Scottberg formed connections with fellow school nurses during Institute days building a collaborative network 

“Everybody,” Scottberg said, is “so nice.”

One of those relationships led her to Community. When the position opened following Nurse Tamara Ahrens’ departure, established school nurse Mrs. Jessica Murphy reached out.

“I just really think it’d be perfect for you,” Murphy, a seven-year veteran at Community, told her.

Scottberg wasn’t actively seeking a change, but the timing made sense. 

With three school-age children, working in a high school offered a schedule that aligned with her family’s needs.

“I wasn’t even planning it, it just happened that way,” Scottberg said. “I think it’s meant to be.”

Beyond convenience, Scottberg appreciates the team dynamic at Community—something she didn’t have in her previous role.

“I really love working with somebody…I missed that,” she said, reflecting on her time as the sole nurse at Cedar Ridge.

She and Murphy divide responsibilities in the nurse’s office, splitting paperwork and medical exams alphabetically. Compared to elementary school nursing, Scottberg said, high school visits are “more frequent and more involved.” Instead of handing out Band-Aids, she plans to adapt to the needs of older students.

High school, she said, can be stressful. She wants the nurse’s office to be more than just a place for physical health concerns—a space that also promotes mental wellness.

“Sometimes you guys come in here and it’s not always physical,” Scottberg said.

The impact of the nursing change can already be seen. To create a more welcoming space, Murphy and Scottberg have been redecorating and adding more informational posters about mental health resources.

But for Scottberg, fostering a supportive environment extends beyond décor—it’s about understanding and connecting with the students she serves.

Nursing, she said, has broadened her perspective, exposing her to people from all walks of life.

“You kind of live in your own bubble sometimes,” she said. “I’ve learned about other cultures, other languages, other socioeconomic backgrounds…I take care of people who have a lot of money and people who have no money, people who are really sick and people who aren’t. I’ve just learned about everybody’s walk of life, appreciating other people who are different from me, and learning to help and love people where they’re at.”

Scottberg hopes to bring that perspective to the nurse’s office at Community—ensuring that students feel seen, supported and welcome.

“Don’t be afraid to stop by and say ‘hi,’” Scottberg said. “I’d love to meet everybody.”