Michelle Macioce: Veteran Educator and Buddhist Practitioner
With 25 years of teaching experience, Michelle Macioce has dedicated her career to transformative education:
- Preschool Teacher (1994-1999)
- Elementary School Teacher (2002-2022)
- Most recent position: Adelante Charter School, Santa Barbara, CA
- Spanish-English dual-immersion program
- Focus: Bilingualism, support for Spanish-speaking children, social justice, and equity
Buddhist Practice and Integration:
- Long-term student of Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche
- Active volunteer for Siddhartha’s Intent
- Pioneered methods to incorporate Buddhist principles into secular education:
- Mindfulness
- Emotional intelligence
- Paramitas (perfections)
- Cause and effect analysis
Current Roles:
- Board Member, Middle Way Education (since 2020)
- Curriculum Development Team Member (since 2023)
Michelle’s unique blend of educational expertise and Buddhist insight drives her commitment to innovative, compassionate teaching practices that nurture both academic excellence and personal growth.