Megan Michaelson is Gulf Shores Middle School’s Teacher of the Year

Megan Michaelson is Gulf Shores Middle School’s 2016-2017 Teacher of the Year.
Her colleagues describe her as creative, dedicated, energetic, and compassionate. Megan has taught Art and coached cheer at Gulf Shores Middle School for five years and has continually amazed everyone with the creativity and energy she brings to the students, school and community.
Mrs. Michaelson earned a Bachelor of Arts degree and Master of Education degree from the University of Montevallo. She has always had a strong passion for art, but it was her mother who convinced her to become a teacher. Her mother saw her love for helping others and sharing her passion. Mrs. Michaelson is still grateful for her mother’s encouragement to pursue teaching.
“My fondest teaching memories have been from seeing my students make an impact in the community,” expressed Michaelson. “My students have made texture books for the students at the Alabama School for the Blind, made ceramic take home bowls for the animals at the local animal shelters, and created HeARTs for Orphans – heart magnets to raise money for African orphans.”
Those are just a few of the ways Michaelson brings the real-world into her classroom. She consistently ensures her students have outlets to share their artwork as well as help others. Michaelson’s students also enter a variety of contests throughout the year. Her students take great pride in the work they produce and appreciate being able to share it with others.
“My students have had 118 publications in the National Art contest ‘Celebrating Art’. We have won Best of Show two years in a row at the Shrimp Festival art competition as well as brought home two 1st place ribbons and a 2nd place. One student received $1,000 toward our art program for winning the Baldwin County Sewer Service Ornament Contest.
“I have also had 128 students place in the Baldwin County Fair throughout the years. Each year we have had a winner of the Lions Club Peace Poster Contest,” Michaelson said.
Zumba, shopping, watching Hallmark movies and going to the beach are a few hobbies Michaelson enjoys. She feels that teachers should always follow the motto, “Do what you love, love what you do.”
“Mrs. Michaelson amazes me with the varied works of art she displays in our school. She cares about her students growing as artists and often enters their work in competitions,’’ said Shery Butler, gifted history teacher at GSMS.
“She shows compassion for others by supporting various fundraisers, like the time the history department was raising funds for African Orphans, and her students made heart magnets to sell,’’ Butler added.
Extracurricularly, Mrs. Michaelson sponsors the cheerleaders, which is a huge time commitment.
“She includes everyone in fun seasonal art parties, and she supports the academic classrooms with artistic ideas and materials when asked. She is a great asset to Gulf Shores,’’ Butler said.
Michaelson hopes to still be teaching at GSMS in five years.
“I absolutely love it and can’t picture myself doing anything else,” she said.