Michelle Hoop of Prescott Unified School District Offers Immeasurable Support to Children, Families, and Staff
By Tara Fort • Photo by Trisha Shaffer
Michelle Hoop is the sole Counselor for Academic Achievement and Support serving all 553 students in grades seven and eight at Prescott Unified School District’s (PUSD) Mile High School. She said recently that she combats any challenges by making a priority of “seeing the students with the highest needs.”
Michelle, who also serves as Data Coordinator for the 21st Century Community Learning Center, appreciates the support from the district administration staff. With various roles under her belt during her tenure, her current role feeds her passion. She said, “Talking with and supporting the students is the best part of my job, especially communicating one-on-one and getting to know them in a way that other staff members might not have the luxury of doing. I enjoy teaching them to self-advocate with teachers, so they are set up for success in high school.”
While changes have overtaken the district during the past few years, Michelle adapted and adjusted. “Instead of in-person meetings, I kept up with fluctuating attendance of students through Google Meets, where we would review missing assignments and I would assist with homework. Often, since everyone was meeting up virtually, I would meet the family pet! Through these online meetings, I was able to maintain some form of ongoing contact. Now, I see all kids in person again, allowing a further strengthening of communication and support.”
PUSD Superintendent Clark Tenney said, “Michelle is one of the most amazing, capable people I know! She can do it all and has done an incredible variety of jobs for PUSD over the years. Her rich set of talents and her love for kids shines through in every new responsibility she takes on and in every new accomplishment. We love Michelle!”
Andy Binder, Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources, added, “Michelle is the ultimate team player. She puts her heart and soul into the school and is always willing to take on whatever task is necessary to ensure that our students get the support they need. Although often behind the scenes and out of the limelight, Michelle has made an incredible impact on the school and helped the students, staff, and families of Mile High in ways that could never be measured.”
When not at work, Hoop said, her “favorite thing to do is spend time with my family including my four kids who all went through PUSD, and my five grandkids currently at Lincoln, Abia Judd and Mile High. My oldest grandson will be an eighth grader this year at Mile High with me.” Self-care comes in all forms and Michelle carves out some personal space: “During the pandemic, I bought a Tuff Shed, finished all of it myself, and built a complete home gym. It’s the best thing I have ever done for myself!”
For more information about Michelle Hoop and the Prescott Unified School District, visit www.prescottschools.com.