Meet Our Team

Born in Atlanta, Georgia and raised in Birmingham, Alabama, Dr. Melissa Capehart is an accomplished educator, school founder, and advocate for equity in education. She holds a Doctorate in Educational Leadership, an Educational Specialist degree in Instructional Leadership, and Leadership certification from Samford University. She also earned a Master’s in Secondary Education and a Bachelor’s in History and Psychology from the University of Alabama.

 

Dr. Capehart brings nearly two decades of experience in both teaching and leadership roles. She has earned multiple accolades throughout her career, including “2017 Teacher of the Year” and the 2024 “Teacher in the Trenches” award for her service as a Technology Integration Specialist. Beyond the classroom, she has led inner-city youth summer programs and nonprofit mentorship initiatives that support high school girls in Birmingham. Her research centers on inclusive education policies and the transformative power of fine arts for at-risk students, including her most recent study on the impact of arts education on academic outcomes for African American males.

 

As an autism mom, Dr. Capehart is deeply passionate about advancing research-based practices in STEM and Fine Arts to create equitable, enriching educational experiences for all learners. This passion has inspired her to found xS.T.R.E.A.M. Minds Academy, a groundbreaking K–8 public charter school in Birmingham. xMA will be Alabama’s first charter school to fully integrate S.T.R.E.A.M. exploration, personalized learning, and social-emotional growth into a dynamic and inclusive school model. Through engaging interdisciplinary instruction and student-centered supports, xMA will empower every learner to discover their “Superhero Passions” and unlock their full potential.