Michael Bylsma – MS Program Coordinator, Student Mentor Teacher, and 7th Gr. PNW History Teacher

Location: Islander Middle School

Job Description: As program coordinator, Michael is involved in student discipline, lunchroom supervision, planning field trips, and facilitating the WEB (Where Everyone Belongs) program which is focused on helping 6th graders become comfortable in middle school. “One of the things I do with WEB during summer break is to train 7th and 8th grade student leaders to work with 6th graders on the first day of school. To a 6th grader, the middle school seems so big. They wonder ‘how will I reach my locker? Where’s the PE building?’ It’s less scary with other kids helping them.”

As a Mentor teacher, he supervises structured study for kids who need extra help or attention. Michael, who taught 8th grade language arts/social studies prior to his current assignments, plans to someday become a school district administrator. “As a teacher, I really enjoyed communicating with parents, helping to bridge that divide between them and their kids, especially since 12-14 year olds don’t always go home and talk with their parents.”

Typical day: Michael arrives early and begins to navigate between his multiple positions. He doesn’t really know what most days will entail, so there really isn’t a typical day.

Best part of the job: “I get to be in the hallways,” says Michael. In middle school, the hallway seems to replace elementary school recess. Students have a 5-minute passing period every 55 minutes, to travel between classes. “It’s the middle school’s social time,” Michael explains. “I like learning names and being that recognizable face. I watch out for safety issues, both physical and emotional.” Michael is on hand to keep things moving, and be present for whatever need arises. “I enjoy helping,” he says simply.

Something people may not know: Michael’s mother went to middle school on Mercer Island. Michael grew up in Mountlake Terrace, and attended college at WSU, Notre Dame De Namur University, and San Jose State. He began his teaching career in San Jose. “The kids were great,” Michael notes, “but they had hardships like I have never seen. Coming to Mercer Island, with such great parent, administrative, and peer support, was like coming to a different world.”

Years in district: This is Michael’s third year with MISD.

Outside interests: Michael and his wife Adrienne, a teacher at Eastside Catholic, enjoy traveling. This summer they attempted a cross-country trip in a 1982 Vanagon, “our ramblin’wreck,” Michael laughs. “We made it to Chicago, turned around, broke down in St. Louis and again in Denver where we decided to tow it back.” Michael and Adrienne live in Ballard, and Michael plays golf “as often as I can.”

AnnMarie Laird – Third Grade teacher

Location: West Mercer Elementary

Job Description: While a traditional elementary school teacher who teaches all the subjects except PE and music, AnnMarie strives to empower her students to feel safe and fearless as they learn. “I try to give my students confidence so they can get up in front of class and risk giving a wrong answer. They know they will be supported and praised for being willing to take the risk.”

Typical day: An early riser, AnnMarie opens her classroom door around 7 a.m. surveying the room for a visual sense of the day’s flow, she prepares accordingly. “But my day really starts when my little treasures stream in,” she says. During her teaching career, AnnMarie has developed a special greeting, which she gives to as many arriving students as possible. “It starts with a thumb squash, a handshake, and then I twirl the student under my arm like in a dance move,” she explains. It is a physical acknowledgement of the student and their successes. “Third graders appreciate my warped sense of humor. They know I like to tell ‘yokes’ (jokes) and they also know that I care about them and that we will work through challenges together.”

The morning usually consists of math, reading and Writers Workshop. In the afternoon there are specialists in different subjects, depending on the day (science, social studies, music and PE). ‘Dessert of the Week,’ according to AnnMarie, happens each Friday. This is a program that AnnMarie calls Community Contributors, which matches third graders to kindergartners as ‘buddies.’ On the first day of school, the Community Contributors’ debut task was to walk their buddies to the school busses at the end of the day. A few Fridays later, they will excitedly anticipate reading stories to their kindergartner buddies.

Best part of the job: “When the light goes on in their eyes,” says AnnMarie. “Third grade is an amazing grade. They still have a joy in learning and are thinking beyond themselves, thinking deeper thoughts.”
Something people may not know: AnnMarie was an investment banker before becoming a teacher. “I have found that teaching is actually harder than investment banking because, with teaching, you don’t leave the job at night. You are always thinking about it and planning.”

Years in district: This is AnnMarie’s third year. She taught K-12 in Enumclaw for 18 years prior to joining MISD.

Outside interests: AnnMarie’s son, Ryan, is a foreign aid auditor with USAID. AnnMarie recently indulged her love of travel with a visit to him in the Philippines, where he is stationed with his wife. “I love to travel to a new country, dig into its history and culture, and learn about its people,” she explains. Daughter Katie is a student at the University of Oregon. AnnMarie also enjoys photography and reading.