My name is Michelle Courtright, and this is my second year teaching at Manor Senior High School. I am a mother of three: a six-year-old, a ten-year-old, and a 15-year-old. I know what it’s like to have kids in school: once they leave elementary school, you stop hearing from teachers, and it can be hard to figure out what is happening day to day unless there is a problem. This is a big reason I try very hard to be communicative and give you all updates on what we’re doing in our classes.

My areas of expertise include English literature, reading, writing, rhetoric, art history, world history, digital marketing, music, and journalism. I incorporate art, history, and music into my lessons to help create a broader, more meaningful experience with our curriculum.

I’ve worked in corporate America and owned my own business, so I try to incorporate real-world skills and scenarios into our lessons. I have hired and fired, trained and mentored, and seen the skills that set successful people apart from others.

Your scholar is allowed to have a bad day in my class.

We are all human, and we all have bad days. I encourage our scholars to communicate with me if they’re just “not feeling it” or if they need some time. If your scholar has a challenging day in my class, that is okay. I have a big heart and a short memory. I will always be happy to see your scholar in my room.

Your scholar is safe in my class.

My class is safe for scholars of all races, orientations, religions, and backgrounds. We engage in healthy and respectful debate, but we do not engage in personal attacks or bullying. I have a zero-tolerance policy for hate speech, aggression, and disrespect. All of our scholars deserve to be safe and productive in class.

Your scholar will be supported in my class.

We do a lot of our classwork together. My inclusion teachers work with ALL of our scholars, and student mentorship opportunities are available for leadership. If your child needs additional support, they will get it. If your child has language or 504 accommodations, they will get it. You will hear from me to confirm I have their information. If you are still waiting to hear from me in the first three weeks of school, feel free to reach out.

Your scholar will be held accountable in my class.

We are practicing for the real world in my class. Scholars are given everything they need to do well; their grade and the quality of work rests on them. I am supportive and empathetic, but I hold all of my scholars to a high level. If they ever need help, they have to communicate that to me, BUT I can only support them if they let me know. It’s up to them to talk to me if they need something they’re not getting. This is a critical life skill: they cannot just let life happen to them; they must take an active role.