Michele Houtchens is a true hero. Michele embodies what it means to be committed to public education. Michele is a former educator, having taught English for 12 years in Houston. She is a devoted DPS Foundation volunteer, contributing her time and talent to help support the fundraising efforts for the organization. She is also a donor herself, knowing the difference her contributions will make for the 88,000 students in Denver Public Schools. And now, Michele is enrolled at the University of Denver in the Institute for Public Policy Study program and is a Masters Public Policy candidate, further cementing her devotion to helping all students succeed, now and long into the future.
Despite her busy schedule with her Master’s courses, Michele volunteers her time every week with the DPS Foundation.
“The DPS Foundation is the perfect fit for me; I was thrilled when I found the opportunity,” says Michele. “Both my husband, a DPS alumnus who has deep-rooted ties to the district, and I, have a strong passion for DPS. So many great things are happening of which I’m proud to be a part. I support the focus on innovation and risk-taking to do what’s best for education today.”
As a former educator, Michele believes it is our moral obligation to have a strong public education system. This attributes to one reason why she supports the DPS Foundation. The programs and initiatives funded by the Foundation have an impact on all 88,000 students of the district versus a small segmentation.
We’ve all heard the saying ‘it takes a special person to be a teacher,’ and here at DPS Foundation we know it also takes a special person to be a volunteer!
If you’ve given to the DPS Foundation in the last year, you’ve likely received a call from Michele thanking you for your donation, and asking a bit more about your reasons for giving. This is one of the many incredibly important roles Michele plays for the DPS Foundation, and it has allowed us to gain insight into our generous donors and their personal ties to DPS.
When we think about what makes a person a hero, we instantly know that Michele fits into that category. We are so grateful for the many ways Michele gives back to her community, and specifically to the students in Denver Public Schools. Please join us in thanking Michele, from the bottom of our hearts!