With over a decade of experience in Bay Area independent schools, Michelle has worked successfully with hundreds of high school students.

A skilled educator, Michelle knows and connects with each student she works with. She respects each high school student as an individual at an important juncture in their life. With a focus on growth and development, she helps students identify and explore their unique talents and interests as they develop a vision for their future. She then provides support for each student as they take concrete steps to make their vision a reality.

Michelle is responsive to student and parent needs and provides both a calm presence as well as warm support. She partners closely with families to create a college process that dovetails with student interests as well as family priorities. Michelle has worked successfully with students pursuing need-based financial aid, students pursuing merit aid, recruited athletes, neurodiverse students, LGBTQIA+ students, and BIPOC students.

Michelle earned her certificate in college counseling from UCLA while working as a college counselor at Marin Academy. She draws on over a decade of experience in academic advising and developing student writing in her previous experience as a full-time history and English teacher at Marin Academy, The Head-Royce School, and Bentley School.

Why Samara?

Samara comes from the scientific name for a maple seed. The winged shape of a samara allows the seed to mature and travel from its original tree to create a new beginning. The college process mirrors the natural growth cycle of the maple.