Michelle Colbert is being awarded the Circle of Excellence through OnPoint’s Teacher of the Year. Colbert is a highly valued teaching member of our building for the past five years. Her assignment has been an art teacher but by only saying she is an art teacher does not give her the justice she deserves. Colbert is, in my opinion, a truly gifted educator. She quickly develops a good rapport with her students, establishes solid routines and inspires her students not only through her teachings of art but through the personal conversations she has with each of them.

Colbert takes an active interest in the well-being of each of her students. Her students respond to her engaging approach to education and genuine interest in them. Under Colbert’s guidance and encouragement, her students consistently find their self-worth as well as their inner artist. Over the last year and a half, Colbert has started a Career Technical Education (CTE) program at our school focusing on manufacturing. She often uses the phrase, “Pathways Out of Poverty” and given our student population, and it stands true. She inspires them to look beyond their current standard of living and to know that today does not have to be the same as yesterday and they can make that choice to find their self-worth.

As a staff member, Colbert is a force to be reckoned with.  Hard work does not scare her; in fact, it invigorates her and inspires her to be her very best. This motivation also bleeds over to other staff that works with her. By being herself, she makes others around her work harder as well.  She truly deserves this recognition and much much more.