Through science experiments, outdoor exploration, invention projects, and a hands-on classroom, Pembroke Elementary School second-grade teacher Nancy Michael is creating a generation of thinkers, learners and problem solvers.
Not only that, Michael is always lending a hand by helping parents become more involved in their children’s learning and by helping new teachers navigate the learning system.
For all of her efforts, Michael has been chosen as Danbury’s 2016 Teacher of the Year.
“I don’t know why I find myself for speechless,” Michael said. “I’ve been working really hard in my own little world – and people noticed. This is the ultimate acknowledgement for a teacher. I’m hoping that being Teacher of the Year helps Danbury, that I can use it to help Danbury.”
A teacher for 29 years, Michael has been a teacher in the district for 14 years, 11 of them in special education. She is completing her third year teaching second grade. She earned her undergraduate degree in elementary education and childhood development at the University of Michigan. Her master’s degree in special education is from Washington University. She is also part of the MSP, the Math and Science Partnership, and is certified as a teacher leader in science after receiving a Master’s Plus 30 from Western Connecticut State University.
The good news was delivered to Michael on June 9 by Superintendent Dr. Sal Pascarella and Deputy Superintendent Dr. William Glass. Her daughter, Mary Michael, a speech pathologist at Great Plain School in Danbury, and her husband, were there to share in the moment.
Teaching has been a lifelong passion of Michael and by fifth grade, she had a wonderful teacher who inspired her in her career goals.
“He encouraged inquiry learning before it was common practice,” she said. “I realized school didn’t have to be boring.”
Seven-year-old Jenna Saltzman attested to the fact that Mrs. Michael’s classroom is anything but boring. She loves the science projects and reading in the classroom. Jenna said when Mrs. Michael unlocks the cabinet and takes out her white lab coat, an exciting science project is on the immediate horizon. Once after Jenna went home covered in clay following a science adventure, she brought in an apron to wear during science lessons. (Michael quickly pointed out that Jenna learned to solve her own problem.)
Using the science process skills, Michael encourages students to ask, explore, observe, question and think.
“It’s not a multiple choice world. You can’t just read and choose an answer. You have to figure out a solution to the problem,” she said. “The best part of teaching is when everything comes together and a child’s learning progresses to the next level. It’s that ‘ah-ha’ moment. You see it in their faces when they get it.”
Michael recalled when a student recently worked hard to achieve reading proficiency. When she passed at grade-level, her eyes welled up because she was so happy with her accomplishment.
“Those are the moments you wait for,” Michael said.
Michael is humbled by the honor of being Teacher of the Year, but when pressed, she knows that really gives her all in the classroom and has a deep desire not only for her students to succeed, but also to be excited about learning.
“I have a lot of facts in my head – and I share them,” she said with a laugh, adding that one of her classroom mantras is “Work Hard and Be Kind.” “I don’t ask them to do anything I don’t do.”
And Michael is as altruistic outside the classroom, as she works to help new teachers acclimate to the school, and she also works in the community helping families in need. She reaches out to parents on a regular basis to keep them interested and participant in their children’s education.
Despite all of the recognition, Michael said the best part was when her students heard the news during the school announcements the following morning. All 17 of them got up from their desks to embrace their teacher with a big hug.
Michael, who got teary just talking about that moment, said it reminds her that even if she won the lottery, she’d be back in school the very next day.