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)
- Leader Curriculum Developer (since 2025)
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.