I think teachers ought to stand for welcomeness, critical thought, civic engagement, and perseverance. Teachers need to encourage risk taking and applaud mistakes that are made in the quest to learn and discover. Teachers can consistently demonstrate compassion and curiosity such that students can learn from example as well as through honest conversation.”
Michelle’s Story
Teaching Discipline
Biology and Physical Sciences
Why Biology
“I believe Biology holds the key to so many of life’s wonders. This world is marvel of logic and elegance and I think diving into science can help us appreciate just how amazing it is.”
Professional Experience
Michelle has spent her entire teaching career at Excel High School in South Boston. She has been a member of the Instructional Leadership Team and the School Site Council and has served as a facilitator in her department. Michelle coaches boys and girls soccer and advises Pretty Tough Women, a student-named group that consists of students who identify as female and are interested in working to untangle and dismantle oppressive forces in their lives and the greater community.
Volunteer Experience
Through St. John’s Well Child and Family Center in Los Angeles, California, Michelle assisted doctors and other health professionals in translating health education materials into Spanish.
As a volunteer with Projects Abroad, she conducted diagnostic tests for HIV/AIDS and worked in the tuberculosis clinic, the pre-natal ward and the labor ward in Nairobi, Kenya and in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. While in Lima, Peru, she shadowed doctors and maintained records.
Hobbies
As a self-identified East Coast convert, Michelle enjoys spending time outdoors, soaking up the Boston weather. In her spare time, she loves to read. Most significantly, Michelle enjoys sharing her home with her two cats, Kingsley and Alastor, whom she affectionately refers to as “The Boys.”
Academic Background
- Harvard University (Master of Education)
- University of California, Los Angeles (Bachelor of Science in Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics)