The award honors an LPTA who worked for Portland Public Schools and Columbia Regional Programs for over 20 years. Michele's life was cut short from cancer on April 18th, 2009. She was a mother of two lovely daughters who were teenagers at the time of her death. The girls had also recently lost their father, Michele’s husband, Bob.

Michele was extremely caring and giving to all the students and staff she worked with. She was also a very skilled LPTA who went above and beyond the call of duty in whatever she did. Michele had a love of learning and a desire to better herself and continually improve her skills as an LPTA. She exemplified excellence in all that she did. She was especially skilled in equipment design and fabrication, sometimes teaching others her skills. She was a unique individual with her own sense of style and that uniqueness carried over into her work. She made therapy fun for the kids she worked with and brightened the days of her co-workers with her lightheartedness. Even as Michele neared the end of her life, she worked as much as she could; not only to support her family financially but because she loved her work and she did not want to let anyone down. She lived and died with so much grace.

This award is presented to Oregon therapy assistants who embody Michele's passion for supporting our most complex students.

Please email Chandra Pinnock at [email protected] with the name of your nominee and the award you are nominating them for.