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Michelle Zurita-Sharpe

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Michelle Zurita-Sharpe (she/her/ella) is an Early Childhood Special Education Teacher at Blair Early Childhood Center, a Chicago Public School (CPS), where she specializes in working with children with disabilities in inclusive settings. In 2024, she was named Illinois Early Childhood Education Teacher of the Year by the Illinois State Board of Education. In addition to her role as a classroom teacher, she works as an adjunct faculty member, helping prepare the next generation of early childhood educators.

She has been actively involved with her Affiliate, Illinois-AEYC (ILAEYC), since 2021 and has served in several roles, including Chapter leadership, on the Board, and on the Executive Board. Through her engagement with the Affiliate, she has experienced significant personal and professional growth and is passionate about encouraging others to experience the value of participating in a professional association.

Michelle earned her BSEd in Early Childhood Special Education with a minor in Educational Policy Studies from Loyola University of Chicago (LUC), a NAEYC accredited higher education program. She earned her MEd in Instructional Leadership: Education Policy Studies with a Certificate in Foundations of College Teaching from the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC). She loves Chicago and everything the city has to offer - the lakefront, architecture, restaurants, museums, theaters, parks, and shopping!

Topics: NAEYC General