Michelle Russell
With much excitement and eagerness, Cordell Elementary School Counselor Michelle Russell couldn’t wait to tell us about her love for her job, making it clear why she is the faculty member being highlighted this week.
“I have the best job ever!” Russell exclaimed. “Not only do I get to work with all the kiddos, but I have some amazing friends and co-workers who frequent my office for a listening ear, venting, or just some good old chocolate!”
With more than 20 years at Cordell School, Russell has built up plenty of relationships with faculty, students, and even their families. Showing off a tremendous love for her school and job, we got the chance to speak with her about how her year has been.
We’re almost two months into the school year, how has it been so far?
This year has been great so far. Coming off a Covid year we are able to get back into more “routine” and the kids are so excited.
Our new principal has brought a new vibe to the school and we are all enjoying each day. Well, most of them.
Compared to this time last year, with having to deal with the midst of the pandemic, how has the start of this year been? Is it easier, about what you expected, harder?
This year is so much better. Off with the masks! We are still sanitizing like crazy and wiping everything down, but it feels as if we can all breathe a little easier. It’s so good to see the kids being able to collaborate, mix, and mingle more!
Is there anything in particular that you’re looking forward to for this school year?
I love the camaraderie that is happening at school. I think COVID taught us a bit about being appreciative of the small things. More back to normal is nice!
What is it that made you want to become a school counselor?
I actually had an amazing group of students when I did my student teaching many years ago. I ended up teaching that same group [for] four of their years in elementary. I grew very close to them to say the least.
When one of them grew up and decided to do her student teaching, she came to me and we worked together.
She told me she really admired the way I handled the students’ concerns and emotional events. It got me thinking and the rest, as they say, is history.
I went back to school and got one of my Masters in School Counseling. By the way, that student teacher is now an amazing teacher at Burns Flat! And that other Masters is in School Administration.
Learning really is a passion of mine. I love going to school to teach and going to learn!
What is your favorite part of your job?
The relationships I build with the students, their families, and my co-workers.
These are “my kids’’. I know most of them, their parents, their grandparents. And my co-workers are great. So many of them are genuine true friends that I love doing life with!
What is it that motivates you when doing your job?
The laughter, the AHA moments and just watching the students grow.
Many of my students are going through some hard moments, and I love being able to help them in whatever way I can.
What are some things people may not realize that an elementary school counselor does?
Let’s see. Wipe noses, wipe lunchroom tables after lunch, wipe tears, wipe water bottles, and wipe away your “CAN’Ts”! Actually, a school counselor’s job evolves daily and changes depending on what is happening. It is a very hands-on in-the-moment job for sure!
Looking back at your time in education, can you think of any notable moments during that time?
There are major moments that shaped history. Those ones where you remember where you were standing on the playground when you heard of an event. But the most rewarding are those little moments. When a child can do something on their own, when you see a child rising after being down, when you see smiles on a child that had problems, when you get a thank you from a family for helping them through something, when you get that feeling in your heart of pride that “that” child just got bragged on!
Those moments daily are notable, and they are done by an amazing team of educators at our school!
Do you have any words of advice for anyone who may read this and are wanting to go on to be counselors themselves?
Do it! I love my job! Yes, there are heart wrenching, frustrating, and even super stressful times, but it always works out and I always enjoy coming to work!
When you’re not working, how do you like to spend your time?
I am not a sitter! I like to go and do! I also have a real estate business, Triple R Realty, that keeps me pretty hooked up. And time with family! My husband and I have three sons Reid, Rylan and Reace. Seeing them and spending time with them is always on the agenda.
Our oldest is married and his wife Allison. [She] also teaches at the school with me. Good thing we get along so well. She’s a super sweet person. They have two precious girls that are the light of my life. Grandkids are so fun!
Our middle son is a doctor at Tulsa, and his wonderful wife is a real estate agent dual licensed in Oklahoma and Arkansas so she’s a rockstar too! Our youngest lives in OKC and is an outdoor loving guy when he’s not at work. Spending time with them is the best.
We also have a Corvette and are in a Corvette Club that does monthly outings that are a blast! So go and do! Go and do!
Is there anything I might have missed, or anything else you’d like to say?
This is my hometown. Born and raised here. I am fully invested in our school and community. There is no place I’d rather be than Cordell, my home!