Graduating Into Retirement: Two Educators Talk Memories, Hopes
Each and every year, local schools send a fresh set of graduates out into the world to do good things. These grads are the focus of parties, news stories and more as they begin the next chapter of their lives.
Less attention, perhaps, is paid to the educators and support staff who have molded these kids over the years.
At Suttons Bay Public Schools, two staffers with roughly six decades of combined experience are retiring this week. The Ticker connected with them to gather some thoughts as they enter their own next chapters.
Michelle Couturier
Tenure: 32 years at SBPS. Served as a computer teacher, special ed and kindergarten classroom interventionist, Title 1 teacher and Title 1 director (Title 1 teachers are specially trained educators who provide targeted, additional support to students). Also taught summers for the migrant program and spent several years a K-8 teacher in Suttons Bay’s virtual school.
What will you miss most about your time at the district?
My partnership with the families and students. Every student has a story of why virtual school is their chosen path. I will miss listening to the stories because we all have had struggles, at some point. SBVS has been known for standing out in the world of virtual schools in northern lower Michigan. I am an advocate for students who struggle to be successful, and support them to finish their classes and school strong or even graduate. I will also miss my team of teachers and administrators. I hope to do something more in the future connected to my passions.
What are some favorite memories from your time at the district?
I have so many favorite memories with students and staff! One memory that really stands out is from when I was racing oval track snowmobiles for MIRA on the weekends and a student of mine raced snow cross. We would always share our "weekend race report" for "show and tell" at our Monday morning meetings. One week, we decided to bring in our first place trophies to compare. Well let's just say, his trophy was so ENORMOUS, his parents had to bring it into the school and pick it up. My trophy on the other hand was so small, it easily fit in a small school bag. After that, I decided we would not be sharing trophies, only recaps! Finally, I never imagined virtual teaching was something I would ever want to be part of, and here I am five years later loving working in SBVS!
What are your hopes/thoughts/concerns for the district going forward?
My hope for the district is that the students and staff continue to grow, learn and experience success while finding a home away from home as I did at Suttons Bay Public Schools. We are a small, but uniquely diverse district that provides a strong foundation for education. Over the years, my hope is that I had a small, positive impact in some way after all these years of teaching. Here is a send off quote: "Be Proud of the Work You Do, the Person You Are and the Difference You Make."
Thoughts from Superintendent Casey Petz:
During Michelle's career in SBPS, she has taken on so many roles and accepted every challenge that came her way. Mrs. Couturier is known to students, families, and staff as an educator that has a huge heart for all students and always worked hard to build positive relationships with students. As a virtual teacher, Mrs. Couturier's mentorship and support for her students has helped hundreds of students find success in ways that they otherwise would never have experienced. She is a master at finding ways for students to feel successful and accomplish their goals.
Lisa Stark
Tenure: 26 years with SBPS, served as a teacher’s assistant, registrar and administrative assistant.
What will you miss most about working at Suttons Bay?
The daily interactions with students, watching them grow and develop over time. Also the strong bonds with colleagues, whether teachers, staff, or administrators, I have truly considered them my family. Being part of Suttons Bay Schools created a sense of belonging for me that will be tough to replicate.
What are some favorite memories from your time at the district?
The steady rhythm of each school day; greeting students, offering encouragement or a quick laugh. The small, daily interactions built real relationships over the years and truly was a highlight of my day. Also being able to be part of working with the Virtual School. We helped so many students fulfill their dreams of graduating. It makes me happy to think that I had some small part in helping them get closer to that finish line.
What are your hopes/thoughts/concerns for the district going forward?
My hopes and dreams for Suttons Bay Public Schools would be that every student would feel safe, seen and supported academically, socially and emotionally. That students would also be encouraged to explore, take risks and grow into confident, compassionate individuals and be proud to say they attend Suttons Bay Public Schools. Whether in-person or online, I always felt that what we were doing mattered, and that every student mattered too.
Thoughts from Superintendent Casey Petz:
Lisa Stark is the perfect example of what it means to have an employee that feels like a family member. Any employee can be considered great, like Lisa is, but only a selected few have that special place in our hearts like Lisa does. She is kind, thoughtful, hard working, and cares for all our students and staff, but most importantly she is loved. We are fortunate to have had Lisa on our team and her Suttons Bay Public Schools family is so grateful to her.