Let’s talk! ph: 845-303-1130 email: larc4growth@gmail.com
Deepen Teaching and Learning
Nourish Community
Writing
At a time of peak attrition in the education profession, the book, When Teachers Stay: Cultivating Resilient Teaching Communities explores those schools where teachers choose to stay and students thrive. Through many conversations with educators from across the country, the question of what makes some teaching communities resilient, and how does that impact teaching and learning. Available for Preorder at Amazon as of April 1st, 2025, at: https://www.amazon.com/When-Teachers-Stay-Cultivating-Communities/dp/1041081839/ref=tmm_pap_
“When Teachers Stay: Cultivating Resilient Teaching Communities is a wonderful contribution at a most important time. This book is written at a time when questions of staying power and resilience are needed to meet the challenges of this ambiguous and uncertain time. Michelle has the heart of an artist combined with the practicality of an exceptional school leader. She provides an excellent critical analysis of the meaning of resilience as she integrates the work of others with her research in the field. She shows how to sustain the values of a school culture through agile and thoughtful processes that develop a community of educators built for resilience.” Bena Kallick, Co-Director, The Institute for Habits of Mind
The Habits of Mind Playbook, guides educators in how to integrate the Habits of Mind into the curriculum and culture of the classroom. Through common simulation lessons, reflection and planning tools, and daily practices, educators develop their approach to their Habits of Mind Practice. Available at the Institute for the Habits of Mind bookstore: https://shop.habitsofmindinstitute.org/products/playbook
PracticeAreas
School-Based Professional Development
LARC professional development is place-based, experiential, interactive, and inclusive. Professional development offerings include Cultivating Resilient Teaching Communities, Habits of Mind, and Curriculum Continuity. To learn more go to Services page.
Teachers’ Center Courses
Courses are offered in Explicit Teaching Strategies for Struggling Students, Integrating the Habits of Mind, and Developing Advisories. Offered as on-line courses, or hybrid in the Hudson Valley.
Teacher and Team Coaching
Working one-on-one or with teams Michelle supports teachers in expanding their teaching tools and approaches, building personalized learning strategies, and enlivening and aligning curriculum.
Michelle has been working with teachers and schools for more than thirty years to deepen academic programs through experiential and personalized learning…
Success
A Certified Habits of Mind Practitioner helping teachers to build thinking and relational skills through teaching and practicing the Habits of Mind
Testimonials…
I have had the privilege of working with Michelle over the past few years. She has brought energy, passion, and commitment to the field of Habits of Mind. Whenever I team with her, I am inspired by her creativity and thoughtful collaboration. She has a unique ability to work non-judgmentally with clients who are at many different levels of understanding and development while, at the same time, catalyze their aspirations toward a high level of performance. She is a gifted artist who finds innumerable ways to imagine an educational environment filled with thought filled learning.
Bena Kallick
Co-Founder & Director Institute for Habits of Mind
Working with Michelle on our curriculum scope and sequence was a truly transformative experience for our school. Her deep expertise, thoughtful approach, and genuine passion for education were evident from the start. Michelle took the time to understand the unique needs of our students and community, and her collaborative spirit helped us craft a curriculum that is both innovative and aligned with our progressive educational philosophy.
Jennifer Gresens, Head of School
Robert C. Parker School
Michelle was a key player in supporting our school staff during the planning and implementation of our Tier One response to behavior through our Phoenix LEADs initiative. Her leadership was instrumental in rolling out the Morning Meeting structure to address SEL concerns. Michelle also provided critical guidance in mapping out the connections between the Phoenix LEADs initiative and the Habits of Mind framework. With her support, staff were able to create a comprehensive year-long plan, fostering consistency, common language, and fidelity in the roll out. Michelle’s calm, organized demeanor helped guide the entire team through this transformative journey, ensuring success at every step.
Carol Tomkalski, Principal, Sharon Center School
Let’s Talk! ph: 845-303-1130. email: larc4growth@gmail.com