Michelle is skilled in photography (digital and darkroom),  digital media (Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign), book making, assemblage, collage and drawing/painting.  She has experience teaching in a variety of settings from public schools, community art centers to colleges and private homes. A major theme in the work she guides others to develop is identity and self-understanding.

Michelle's residencies include three at the Integrated Arts Academy: During one session she worked with fifth graders to use photography as a means of learning geometry. 

In a second residency she worked with all the students in the school (almost 300) to make self portraits which accompanied their writing about themselves. 

Michelle's most recent residency at the IAA involved photographing 147 families of students which again accompanied student writing about their families.  Both portrait residencies involved the students in the photographic process and allowed for students to direct and make their own portraits.

Along with her photographic residencies Michelle has taught collage, drawing and painting, book making and assemblage to children and adults.  She has training in Universal Design for Learning and special eductation.  She is skilled in teaching people who have limited english proficiency and people with developmental and behavioral differences.

Michelle earned her MFA in visual studies from Lesley University College of Art and Design in Massachusetts, a BFA from Minneapolis College of Art and Design in Minnesota, and a BA in psychology from Oakland University in Michigan.