By Nora Braham, BEAT reporter
BRUNSWICK, OH- Ever wonder what your teacher loved to do before their teaching years? You might think your teacher has loved teaching and school their whole life, but Brunswick Middle School (BMS) 6th grade teacher Michelle Legan loved being a volleyball coach before she taught 6th grade math.
Although she is now a math teacher, Legan was not always interested in teaching. She was a volleyball coach for Junior Olympics (JO) at Highland High School. Her undergrad degree was in Sport Management from Mount Union College. Because Legan loved coaching, she decided to go back to school for teaching. The principal of Highland asked if Legan wanted to be a permanent substitute at Highland High School, and since Legan had a Bachelor's degree, she jumped right in.
Legan loved subbing for 6th grade math, and she was late hired at Brunswick to teach. Legan said, “Honestly, every year is different and unique in its own way, so I don't have a favorite year, but the most interesting and challenging year was 2020 during COVID.”
Whether on the volleyball court or in the classroom, Legan continues to share her passion for helping students succeed.
Nora Braham, Brunswick Middle School, is one of over fifty student “backpack journalists” (grades 6-12) in the award-winning BEAT Video Program. The program, celebrating its 25th year, is sponsored by Donut Land, Plum Creek Assisted Living Community, MODA Gifts, Scripps Howard Foundation and the Brunswick Rotary Club. Go to https://www.bcsoh.org/community/new-beat-site to learn more about the Program, or visit https://thebeat.viebit.com/?folder=ALL to view videos produced by the students.
PHOTOS: Michelle Legan, Brunswick Middle School.