COEUR D’ALENE PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Michelle has been a dedicated teacher in our district for 14 years. Over that period of time she has served in many important roles, including as a special education teacher at Skyway and Winton Elementary schools. In her first year at Lakes she has already made an impact by going beyond academics to focus on social, emotional, and behavioral learning. Programs like Zones of Regulation and group conversations using  tools like a talking stick help her students manage their emotions, build empathy, and develop self-esteem. Her efforts extend to leadership committees, mentoring other educators, and connecting students and families to local resources. Michelle’s compassion, dedication, and innovative teaching make it easy to recognize her as our 2025 Middle School Teacher of the Year!