Michelle joined the CU team as a Professional Research Assistant in 2016 after working in the non-profit sector for over a decade as an Education Program Manager in arts education and youth development. Her background includes public school classroom teaching, curriculum development, professional development for educators, preservice teacher education, social emotional learning, and project management. Michelle holds an MA in Instructional Systems Design and Bilingual Education from the University of Maryland and a BA in Elementary Education from the University of Pennsylvania. She is also Adjunct Faculty at The University of Denver’s Morgridge College of Education where she teaches in the Teacher Education Program. As an educator and researcher, Michelle is passionate about creating equitable systems of education where children are engaged in learning through creative expression in safe and positive classroom communities and schools.