Michelle McLaren, Cosgrove Middle School

This week's News 8 Golden Apple Award winner raises her students up by not looking down at them. She's Social Studies Teacher Michelle McLaren from Spencerport's Cosgrove Middle School.
 
Remember what it was like to be a 7th grader? Michelle McLaren does. "To live in the society that they live in and go through what they go through, life is hard so sometimes they don't care about history. So if you can connect with them on a personal level they're gonna get history."

Cosgrove Middle School Principal Ned Dale says Ms. McLaren understands her students more than most. "Middle School students change so much over three years and she absolutely does know Middle School students. You have to appreciate their energy and their spontaneity as well as where they are developmentally."

Michelle also knows Middle School can be a struggle. That's why she opens her arms and her heart to students like Annamaria Accorso. Annamaria says "She always helps me when I need help and we can go to her about any problems, not just like school."

Annamaria wanted to say thank you. So we surprised Ms. McLaren in the middle of a class. There's one important lesson she wants all her students to learn. "If you don't respect yourself you don't respect others and you don't know how to be a good citizen. That's part of Social studies is to be a better human being."

Michelle McLaren is a News 8 Golden Apple Award Winner. You can read the letter we received from Annamaria below.



Dear Channel 8,
 
   Ms. McLaren is my favorite teacher because she understands 7th grade life and problems. She will change her schedule to fit our needs if we need help with anything.  Ms. McLaren is fun and upbeat instead of dull and slow like other teachers. She makes class and life fun. I can't wait to go to her class.
   Ms. McLaren lights up my day and helps me when I am stressed out.  Ms. McLaren's love for history and teaching shows during class.  She is a very respected teacher and role model for children at Cosgrove Middle School.
   I would be very honored if she will win this award.

Sincerely,

Annamaria Accorso
Cosgrove Middle School