Marvelous Michelle McAfee by Arjuna Sayyed

Words of Wisdom

park_day_school — 2025-05-08 17:12:15 UTC

...sit down with Michelle and learn about what makes 2nd grade the perfect grade for her to teach, how her mother inspired her to become an educator and her love for the art of storytelling. Along the way, we talk music and how she responded to racism in school when she was a student.

Cry A Rainbow

park_day_school — 2025-05-08 20:52:59 UTC

Dear Michelle,

I have always loved the way you honor your ancestors in your classroom and curriculum and how you help students do the same. Here's a beautiful mother/son collaboration I hope you'll enjoy : )

- Arjuna

Friendship Full of Laughter and Learning

park_day_school — 2025-05-08 20:57:30 UTC

Park Day School runs the way it does because of the remarkable women who work here – front and center and behind the scenes! Women work together and inspire each other in so many ways in our community. Tune in to hear about how 2nd grade teachers Michelle and Susan’s deep personal connection and 19 years of working together remains fresh and full of laughter and learning.

Love from a former student

park_day_school — 2025-05-08 21:03:45 UTC

I was in Michelle's 1993-1994 class. She shaped my life forever. Every year on Thankstaking I think about singing "Someone Was Already Here" in her classroom. Congrats on becoming a grandma!! That is one lucky baby. Love, Rachel Lee

park_day_school — 2025-05-08 21:06:13 UTC

The Queen of Soul

ParkDaySchool1976 — 2025-05-09 00:03:17 UTC

I knew I was in the right place when I first joined Park Day in the 2018-19 school year because down the hall, Michelle and her class had constructed a beautiful mural of Aretha Franklin outside their classroom!

ParkDaySchool1976 — 2025-05-09 00:14:57 UTC

Michelle, I hope that your retirement is sweet 🍭Like Sugar 🍭

2025-05-09 22:34:19 UTC

I wish you all the best as you start this new chapter of your life. As a woman of color at Park Day, you have been a trailblazer and a mirror for so many. Thank you, and I know I stand on your shoulders. Love, Angela

<3 Crafting!

2025-05-13 16:57:46 UTC

Michelle, I am excited for you to do all of the exciting craft projects you've spoken about, during your retirement!

More Than a Paycheck

2025-05-13 17:02:38 UTC

Your teaching career has been much, much 'more than a paycheck' to the lives you have touched and influenced over the years!

Warm Memories

2025-05-14 13:40:36 UTC

Michelle,

Congratulations on 34 years at PDS! I feel privileged to have spent five of those years teaching alongside you. I am sure you will enjoy your retirement with the same curiosity, creativity, and compassion that you brought to your teaching career. Enjoy!

2025-05-15 15:52:59 UTC

Michelle, my bell! I will miss singing this with you in the hallway. I will miss so much of you, but especially your sense of humor, and all our laughs! That said, I'm excited for you!

POCC

2025-05-15 20:25:47 UTC

Hey Michelle!

I'll never forget how special you and Susan made my first time at POCC! You were such a fun person to be around and your bracelet will forever be my favorite accessory. Thank you so much for being you! I wish you all the love, rest, and joy during your retirement.

2025-05-16 01:20:05 UTC

Wish you the best on this new journey! You are an inspiration to me; your hard-work, love for teaching and your dedication to educating will always be remember. A big abrazo, Cristina

Poetry

2025-05-17 18:59:18 UTC

I loved how your class had a focus on poetry, I think I learned more about poetry in that class than any other I've had.

Keaton Dunlap

2025-05-17 19:00:12 UTC

Congratulations on yoru retirement! Thank you for all the things you did big and small, seen and unseen, to make Keaton's education at Park Day School extraordinary!

Cortt Dunlap & Shalene Rose

2025-05-17 19:55:44 UTC

Thank you for this wonderful memory Michelle. Both Canyon and I fell in love with the charisma, intellect and radical ways of Muhammad Ali via the 2nd grade biography project. I hope you enjoy a well deserved retirement that’s full of adventure and blessings.

• Jahbi Gaskin

2025-05-18 17:50:56 UTC

I was in Michelle's 1997-8 class. I fondly remember the day we made coca cola and ice cream from scratch (in a bag??? with rock salt???). So much fun and the best cola float of my life!

Wishing you all the best in your next chapter!

Riley Matthews

Inspiring Colleague & Teacher

2025-05-20 20:23:21 UTC

Dear Michelle, I vividly remember meeting you at my first interview with the hiring committee. I was inspired by what you shared about Park Day, and felt so supported by you throughout the process. Then once I was on board, you and Susan were so lovely about taking me under your wing and we got to enjoy lunch at Teni East and I got to experience your support, warmth, and passion for teaching and learning throughout the years (those times with more bumps as well as the smoother times). Thank you for teaching Sebastian outdoors in the pandemic, and for always greeting me with warmth and a smile. I will stand in the crosswalk as you cross whenever you want.

2025-05-24 03:02:50 UTC

Michelle, you were such an inspiring and influential teacher to my son, Luca Mazo. I will never forget the yearlong poetry project, complete with the poetry cafe and the grade-wide performance. Luca learned so much from you not just about academics, but about justice, emotions, standing up for what’s right, expressing oneself. Thank you so much for all of your years of dedication to Park Day and to our kids. You’ve had a profound impact on so many. Enjoy your retirement and continuing following your passions and dreams.

Warmly,

Lindsay Brown

Travel Diva

debbidangelo — 2025-06-02 19:19:21 UTC

For each of the amazing years you gave to PDS, I wish you the peaceful bliss of traveling, beading (with me) and more. You deserve to see the world for all of the joy you brought us. Love, Deb

"I am somebody, and the universe is mine"

chungtech — 2025-06-02 22:52:06 UTC

This is a record that Arjuna and I both love to play - the song is an instant uplift! I want to share it with you in deep gratitude of the important, indelible, and amazing ways you have helped shape both our 'bears', Djumi & Tohqi. How lucky are we to have had you guide them in so many ways!

We are so grateful to have had your teaching wisdom help develop our kids identity, curiosity as learners, confidence as poets, artists, and deep thinkers about the world around them!

With big hugs,

Christina

2025-06-03 23:33:24 UTC

I get misty just thinking that you won't be here next year. All the best on your next venture! Here is one from the great Sarah Vaughn.

Wishing you a wonderful retirement!

2025-06-06 00:58:22 UTC

This song always reminds me of back-to-school night with you!