Michelle began her teaching career in 1985—an era of chalkboards, ditto machines, #2 pencils, and the occasional filmstrip. Her classroom boasted just one computer, complete with those big, bendy floppy disks, and the internet was still a thing of the future. But even without today’s tech, Michelle was already ahead of her time—inspiring, innovative, and endlessly passionate.
For 20 years, Michelle shaped young minds at Notre Dame, Price Elementary, and Sally Mauro Elementary, teaching every grade and subject except kindergarten and first grade. (Those, she jokes, she only had for P.E.—an experience she lovingly compares to “herding kittens.” She tips her hat to the brave souls who teach those grades full-time!)
Later, she expanded her horizons with a year of ESL instruction at Castle Heights and Sally Mauro Elementary, continuing her work in P.E. before “graduating” to Helper Middle School. There, for the past 11 years, she’s guided 7th graders through Language Arts and College & Career Awareness and helped 8th graders master the ins and outs of Digital Literacy.
In the midst of it all, Michelle also raised two incredible daughters, Jordan and Kelsey—an adventure as challenging and rewarding as anything found in the classroom.
When asked to choose a favorite grade, Michelle simply can’t. Every year brought new faces, fresh challenges, and different joys. One constant remained: her deep commitment to her students and the joy she found in watching them grow.
Now, after 31 extraordinary years, Michelle retires with a heart full of gratitude. She’s thankful for the countless students she’s taught, the curriculum changes she’s embraced, and the friendships she’s built with fellow teachers, principals, and staff—many of whom have become lifelong friends.
She’ll miss “her kids,” her classroom traditions, like those famous Fundell Fridays. As she turns the page to her next chapter, Michelle looks forward to traveling with her husband, Bob, and taking on new adventures. First stop? Teaching Bob how to write in cursive! 😉
Michelle, your legacy lives on in the lives you’ve touched. Thank you for everything.