🌟 Alumni Spotlight: Michelle Brown (Janovec)
A proud Bellevue East graduate, Michelle found her calling early — inspired by supportive teachers and a love of learning that began in first grade. Today, she’s been teaching at Fort Crook Elementary for over two decades, shaping the next generation with the same care and dedication that once guided her. Her advice to current students: “Try everything — Bellevue Public Schools gives you so many opportunities to discover what you love.”

Bellevue Alumni Association - Alumni Spotlight:

Michelle Brown (Janovec), Bellevue East Class of 1997

Q: What was your most memorable experience in high school?

A: I would say the high school musicals. I made some of the best of friends during those months of practice leading up to the performances.

Q: Tell us about a teacher, coach, or staff member who significantly impacted you

A: Mr. Herringer played a significant role in my high school career by going above and beyond to help me in both science classes I had with him. He would meet before school and sometimes after school to help me prepare for tests. During my sophomore year of high school, my dad was stationed overseas for the Army, so he invited me to spend Christmas with him and his family.

Q: What activities, clubs, or sports were you involved in during high school, and how did they influence your path after graduation?

A: Marching band (4 years), Musicals (4 years), softball (4 years), basketball (3 years), FTA (Future Teachers of America), Student Council (3 years), and Class officer (3 years). I also played softball all four years in college.

I would say that being involved in student council and being a class officer helped me to improve my leadership skills and become more confident in myself to become a teacher.

Q: What do you do for a living?

A: I have been teaching at Fort Crook Elementary since 2002. I started out teaching 2nd grade, but 3rd grade has always been my passion, so when an opportunity arose, I jumped on it to move up.

I knew that I wanted to become a teacher since the first grade. I grew up with my best friend's parents being educators/administrators for BPS and Ralston.

As for future plans, I intend to continue teaching until I am able to retire. Once I retire, I plan to teach yoga classes.

Q: What has been your proudest achievement since leaving high school?

A: I would honestly say becoming a MOM! I am incredibly proud of my two boys. They are becoming pretty amazing young men.

Q: Tell us about your family.

A: I have two sons. Blake (13), a 7th grader at Mission Middle School, and Gabriel (Abe) (9), a 4th grader at Fairview Elementary. Both boys are heavily involved in sports. They competed in gymnastics for several years before deciding to focus solely on baseball and basketball.

When we are not at games, practices, or tournaments, you can find us doing Cub Scout activities such as fishing, hiking, riding bikes, or camping out at a local campsite.

Q: What advice would you give to current students in Bellevue who are trying to figure out their future paths?

A: I would encourage current students to try everything. Bellevue Public Schools does a nice job of offering a variety of activities to ALL students so that they can figure out what they are most interested in for their future.

Michelle’s Favorites…..

Movie: Top Gun, The Sandlot, and The Hangover

Book: The Nightingale and The Great Alone

Song: Free Fallin' by Tom Petty

Food: Soft shell chicken tacos

Bellevue Restaurants or Businesses: Achieve Physical Therapy (workout classes) and the Cake Specialist for all my cakes