In education, a deep commitment to student development and meaningful connections is vital. Michelle Robell has dedicated her career to shaping the future of young minds and making an impact in the classroom and the community.
With more than two decades of experience, Robell has become a trusted educator in the Palo Alto Unified School District in Palo Alto, California, where she has dedicated herself to fostering growth, resilience, and a positive mindset in her students.
A Foundation of Purpose and Passion
Robell’s journey into education began after a successful career in industrial and organizational psychology. “The calling to build a tangible human community led to another courageous and life-changing decision,” she explains.
With the desire for a purpose-led career, Robell shifted focus from executive compensation to teaching. She completed a teaching credential at the University of the Pacific and started her career in education in 1998.
Robell earned a Bachelor of Arts from Kent State University, summa cum laude, and a Master of Arts from the University of New Haven in industrial and organizational psychology. She then took a risk on driving from New York City to California without a job or any connections to start her professional career in 1991.
Robell’s motto, “Purpose. Meaning. Peace,” serves as her guiding philosophy in everything she does. “My goal every day is to do the best I can for that day, be present, and reflect to grow forward for long-term goals,” she shares. She found her true calling in teaching first grade, where she’s made her most significant impact.
“My greatest joy is teaching students how to read and inspiring a growth mindset,” Robell says. Her efforts to cultivate resilience and self-esteem in young learners have helped many of them grow into confident, curious individuals.
Making a Lasting Impact: A Focus on Student Relationships
Robell’s work has always been rooted in strong relationships with her students. She reflects, “Establishing a connection with my students has been the most notable achievement of my career. Each morning, we say everyone’s name and hear our own name. ‘I see you and I care about you.’”
By building trust and making learning engaging, Robell creates an environment where students feel valued and empowered. Her approach is about imparting knowledge while inspiring confidence and creating an atmosphere of growth and support.
Robell’s contributions extend beyond her classroom. She has served on multiple math and science adoption curriculum committees and participated in various district-wide committees almost every year. Her dedication to enhancing education in her community has earned her recognition and respect.
Outside of education, on her own initiative and call for purpose, she volunteered in the Emergency Department at Stanford Hospital and trained volunteers for well over a decade. In light of her volunteerism and selfless conduct, Robell was inducted in 2024 as a Distinguished Humanitarian by Marquis Who’s Who.
Adapting to the Challenges of a Changing World
The rapid advancement of technology has significantly impacted education, and Robell has observed these changes across age groups, contexts, and places: “The whole technology era has changed society. It’s a worldwide thing. Pieces of paper, analog clocks, and coins rarely exist anymore.” While the digital age has brought new learning opportunities, it has also presented challenges in how students learn. Learning to read takes practice. It is not an instant process with an immediate result.
Robell believes that educators must guide children in developing essential life skills. “Such as how to be bored and how to solve a variety of problems without the use of a device and with human conversation,” she remarks.
Robell emphasizes the value of teaching students how to handle frustration, focus in a multi-tasking world, manage boredom, and develop resilience when instant gratification is not possible. “We need to ensure young people grow up with the necessary life tools and human-to-human interaction and communication to thrive in a technological world,” she says. “The classroom community is a natural opportunity to build these interpersonal skills.”
Looking Forward: Mentoring the Next Generation of Educators
In the years ahead, Robell plans to continue to mentor student teachers and serve on district committees. After she retires from the classroom, she wants to volunteer with the local children’s hospital as a reader and play games with the children.
Until then, Robell strives to be a leader in her school and the broader community, guiding others to make a lasting impact.
Outside of her professional endeavors, Robell remains deeply grateful for the influence of her father. Dearly departed, Robell’s father taught her the value of resilience, compassion, and the importance of traveling a road driven by purpose. Her humble, quiet, yet driven and courageous nature propels her future goals.
