Beta Lambda, California
The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International
The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International
Michelle Cherland - Speaker at 2018 Area II Spring Luncheon-
Michelle Cherland
Second-grade multi-subject teacher
Carrillo Ranch Elementary School, Indio
Desert Sands Unified School District
"‘Be Awesome Today!' is a sign that hangs over my desk. It ensures that today is the day that something new will be learned, a song will be sung, a laugh will be shared, a friend will be made and a moment may occur that will be remembered long after this day has passed."
--Michelle Cherland from her 2016 California Teachers of the Year Application
Mrs. Cherland has been teaching for 14 years, 10 in her current position at Carrillo Ranch Elementary. A veteran of 12 different schools in 13 years when she was growing up, she never felt these many relocations (a result of her educator parents' career moves) were a disadvantage.
"I found it to be an adventure. Every school I attended had an entirely different culture. For instance, in fifth grade, the children were direct descendants of the rich and famous. Two years later, I went to a school composed of migrant workers' children who didn't speak much English," she said.
She is also an Army veteran having enlisted in 1991 when Operation Desert Shield had become Operation Desert Storm. She went from being an enlisted soldier to an army Captain during a wartime deployment – considered an extraordinary feat. Mrs. Cherland recently retired from the Army Reserves with 24 years of honorable duty.
Highly decorated and serving three tours of active military duty, she always managed to keep education in her heart even during war. On a road march in Iraq, she brought to the convoy two heavy duffle bags and carried them the many miles to camp. As she unpacked, her fellow soldiers were amazed to see that those heavy bags were full of books for the Iraqi children.
Desert Sands Unified School District Superintendent Gary Rutherford calls the wife, mother to seven, teacher, and military officer "every superintendent's dream."
"She is respected among her peers, beloved by parents and students. She inspires and leads others to higher levels of performance and a deeper commitment to a student-centered philosophy," he wrote.
Mrs. Cherland may be reached at Carrillo Ranch Elementary at 760-238-9700 or [email protected].
Second-grade multi-subject teacher
Carrillo Ranch Elementary School, Indio
Desert Sands Unified School District
"‘Be Awesome Today!' is a sign that hangs over my desk. It ensures that today is the day that something new will be learned, a song will be sung, a laugh will be shared, a friend will be made and a moment may occur that will be remembered long after this day has passed."
--Michelle Cherland from her 2016 California Teachers of the Year Application
Mrs. Cherland has been teaching for 14 years, 10 in her current position at Carrillo Ranch Elementary. A veteran of 12 different schools in 13 years when she was growing up, she never felt these many relocations (a result of her educator parents' career moves) were a disadvantage.
"I found it to be an adventure. Every school I attended had an entirely different culture. For instance, in fifth grade, the children were direct descendants of the rich and famous. Two years later, I went to a school composed of migrant workers' children who didn't speak much English," she said.
She is also an Army veteran having enlisted in 1991 when Operation Desert Shield had become Operation Desert Storm. She went from being an enlisted soldier to an army Captain during a wartime deployment – considered an extraordinary feat. Mrs. Cherland recently retired from the Army Reserves with 24 years of honorable duty.
Highly decorated and serving three tours of active military duty, she always managed to keep education in her heart even during war. On a road march in Iraq, she brought to the convoy two heavy duffle bags and carried them the many miles to camp. As she unpacked, her fellow soldiers were amazed to see that those heavy bags were full of books for the Iraqi children.
Desert Sands Unified School District Superintendent Gary Rutherford calls the wife, mother to seven, teacher, and military officer "every superintendent's dream."
"She is respected among her peers, beloved by parents and students. She inspires and leads others to higher levels of performance and a deeper commitment to a student-centered philosophy," he wrote.
Mrs. Cherland may be reached at Carrillo Ranch Elementary at 760-238-9700 or [email protected].
Mission Statement
The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International promotes professional and personal growth of women educators and excellence in education. |
Vision Statement
Leading Women Educators Impacting Education Worldwide |
Beta Lambda, California ~ Updated January, 2018