BY TRACY LEE TATE
Special to the Times
There’s a new face at Lake Butler Elementary School this year, and Michelle Fuist said she is looking forward to working at a school and in a school district that mirrors her philosophy of educating young people.
Fuist and her husband, Rich, bought a house in Columbia County that fulfilled his dream of living in an airpark. She said she started looking around in the area for a school administrative position. She said she applied on the last day of the job listing for the principal position at LBES before the ad closed and was interviewed and hired.
“I came into the interview wondering about the attitudes in this system and was delighted to find that the same attitudes, values and beliefs I have about learning and community involvement in the schools were practiced throughout the Union County schools,” Fuist said.
Pilot with a passion for special education
Fuist said she has hit the ground running and is ready for the new school year.
“Our theme for the year is ‘Let’s Root for Each Other” and our goal is to build a positive culture and learning environment,” Fuist said. “We have new Positive Behavior Intervention Support and we are all committed to making sure that everyone is included through resiliency activities and other programs.”
Fuist holds a bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Akron in Ohio and a Master of Arts in Education from Hampton University in Hampton, VA. She also holds certificates and endorsements in reading, educational leadership (all levels), school principal (all levels) and exceptional student education. She has completed programs as an iObservation Observer, the Aspiring Leaders Academy, has received the Emerging School of Character Award and holds a private pilot’s license.
Most recently, Fuist served as an assistant principal at Oak Hill Elementary School in Orange Park and, before that, as a curriculum resource teacher at Citrus Elementary in the Orange County School System. She has worked as an instructional coach, as a principal at the Florida Aviation Academy in Kissimmee, as Director of education at the Maitland Campus of UHS, as the coordinator of pupil services in the Wooster, OH, city schools, and as a teacher in the Hampton City Schools. In her varied career she has also served as director of education at a residential behavioral hospital working with children ages 5-17 and served as a U.S. Certified swimming coach while in Wooster.
Furst has a passion for special education and is a product of it herself due to being diagnosed with speech articulation problems as a child, which was eventually rectified with surgery as an adult. She brings a vast array of experience to LBES and feels that she has found the right place to be.
“As an educator with unique and varied experiences, I am ready to continue on the journey,” Fuist said. “Education has been my passion as I experienced it as a child, taught others how to embrace it as a learner, and lived it as a parent.”
As to her philosophy of education, Fuist was quick to put it into words.
“All means all,” Fuist said. “In education that means all students will succeed. Every student is a member of our community, and we must find the tools, strategy, and means to teach them.
Contagious enthusiasm
Fuist married Rich a couple of years ago. It is a second marriage for both, and each brought three children with them. Fuist has two daughters and a son – Marissa, a biochemical engineer; Natalie – a physician’s assistant in Manhattan, NY, and Collin – a marine mechanic. Rich has one daughter and two sons. Ashley – an RN, Daniel, a 100% disabled Marine, now a student at the University of Central Florida and Nick-a pilot for the U.S. Coast Guard. They share six grandchildren.
Both in their fifties, they enjoy spending their free time flying. Fuist also enjoys reading mysteries and other genres, yoga, and riding her Pelaton bike. She says she is a better baker than a cook. Both consider their Faith to be very important.
Interviews the three days before the first day of school, Fuist was as excited as a new student about the start of things. Her enthusiasm is contagious and can be seen in the faces of everyone on her team. All have a part in the plan and are ready to get started – they are on a journey and know exactly where they want to go to give LBES students the best learning environment and opportunities possible.
