For years she has volunteered with the White House Historical Society. She was instrumental in connecting her students to their staff for research projects. Michelle then conneted locally with Historic Denver and Save our History Foundation for other projects with her kids. Her work introducing students to their community and its history has gained much respect and publicity. She and her students were even recognized by the History Channel for a project they did about Colfax Avenue. The students recorded stories about Colfax for the runners in the Colfax Marathon to listen to during the race. The Podcasts were called "20 Miles of Colfax History."

Through Michelle's curriculum, students see connections between their work in the classroom and how it relates to the betterment of the world outside their class. "It's the kids that really are creating the cultural tapestry of what we will know as America." Michelle said. "By allowing them some of these extra things that we're doing, it makes history real to them."

Michelle is known to have a very hands-on teaching style. "Put the learning in their hands, that's really how I teach," said Michelle. The kids love it." It's just really fun coming to her class because you got lots of hands-on activities like the artifacts she brings in," said student Darius Ortega.

What's the payoff for Michelle? "Someday I hope to have a history teacher come back and say, 'hey, your class made a difference to me." 

Please join 9NEWS, CollegeInvest and Metropolitan State College in congratulating Michelle Pearson, the September 2007 9Teacher Who Cares.