April 24th, 2025, Partnership for Los Angeles Schools
Meet Michelle Staine, current instructional math coach at 49th Street Elementary, soon-to-be third-grade teacher in 2025-26. She brings 23 years of experience, dedication, leadership, and heart to her work. We connected to discuss her journey to become a National Board Certified educator.
Inspired by her sister, partner, and daughter, Michelle completed the rigorous National Board Certification (NBC) process in December 2024. She was certified as a middle childhood generalist in one year with support from the Partnership for Los Angeles Schools. “The Partnership didn’t do the work for me—they asked the right questions, helped me carry the cognitive load, and made sure I stayed grounded in evidence and student outcomes.”
She pursued NBC to deepen her pedagogical practice, refine her coaching, and reconnect with what matters most in teaching: knowing each student deeply and designing instruction that truly meets their needs. She believes effective teaching requires content knowledge and the ability to help students make interdisciplinary connections and grow as critical thinkers.
“I wanted to challenge myself in a different way,” she reflects. “As a coach, it was important for me to sharpen and refine my pedagogical skills, not just for myself, but so I could better support teachers and students.” She now brings this refined lens into her practice—co-planning and co-teaching alongside educators, and centering differentiated instruction, data-driven planning, and student voice.