Michele Collins passed away peacefully, surrounded by family and friends in Phoenix, Arizona on August 28, after courageously battling an extended illness. She was born in Detroit, Michigan in 1953 to Edward and Rita MacKool. In 1973 she married Dana Collins, and they shared their lives together until his passing in June of 2003.
Michele attended Wayne State University, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Education. She continued her education after moving to Reno 1978. She attended the University of Nevada, Reno, and earned a Master of Education and her Doctorate in Education in 1994.
Michele started teaching in the Washoe County School District at Traner Middle School in 1979, and taught Home Economics, English, Math, and reading. She moved into her role of educational leadership as Dean of Students at Traner Middle School and continued to move forward as principal at Traner, O'Brien and Swope middle schools. In 2007 she received the "National Distinguished Principal Award" and had the honor to receive her award at the White House. In 2007 she was selected to be the Senior Director of middle schools until she retired in 2009.
Dr. Collins had a brilliant and productive career and retired with the reputation as one of the most effective and beloved leaders in the history of Washoe County School District. She had the ability to step into a new school and analyze the strengths already present, and use her skills to take the school to the next level. Michele was a galvanizing force wherever she went she was passionate about developing her craft as well as that of her teachers in order to best serve all students in her charge. She had the ability to create a dynamic and challenging culture of learning where she modeled an impeccable work ethic while building enduring relationships with staff, students, parents, and the community. She was the soul and spirit of every school she led, and everyone who worked for her felt like a member of her family. She was an extraordinary mentor, and her sphere of influence produced a generation of leaders. Her friends and members of her school community will remember her curly black hair, infectious smile, sharp wit, classy dress, engaging personality, and that she was always the life of the party. Her charisma and positive energy were contagious and compelling, and motivated those around her to reach their highest potential. She was truly an inspiration, and improved the lives of thousands of students.
Michele's family and friends will remember that she always put others first. She was unparalleled in her generosity, kindness, friendship and the personal sacrifices she made for her family, friends, colleagues, and school community. She lived each day the way she taught, maximizing every opportunity to enjoy life to the fullest. She fully embraced her life and her career with love, enthusiasm, laughter, and joy and most of all, learning. We are all in debt to Michele, because her bright spirit and high expectations of all of us have made us better people.
Michele was preceded in death by her father Edward S. MacKool and is survived by her dear mother Rita MacKool, loving sisters Marianne Thomas (Tony), Maggie Scott (Michael), Marlene Morfoot (Chuck), Marcia Bruno (John) and brothers Ed MacKool (Cheryl), Jim MacKool (Andrea) numerous nephews and nieces and great nephews.
Reno Gazette-Journal Sept. 13, 2013
Michele attended Wayne State University, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Education. She continued her education after moving to Reno 1978. She attended the University of Nevada, Reno, and earned a Master of Education and her Doctorate in Education in 1994.
Michele started teaching in the Washoe County School District at Traner Middle School in 1979, and taught Home Economics, English, Math, and reading. She moved into her role of educational leadership as Dean of Students at Traner Middle School and continued to move forward as principal at Traner, O'Brien and Swope middle schools. In 2007 she received the "National Distinguished Principal Award" and had the honor to receive her award at the White House. In 2007 she was selected to be the Senior Director of middle schools until she retired in 2009.
Dr. Collins had a brilliant and productive career and retired with the reputation as one of the most effective and beloved leaders in the history of Washoe County School District. She had the ability to step into a new school and analyze the strengths already present, and use her skills to take the school to the next level. Michele was a galvanizing force wherever she went she was passionate about developing her craft as well as that of her teachers in order to best serve all students in her charge. She had the ability to create a dynamic and challenging culture of learning where she modeled an impeccable work ethic while building enduring relationships with staff, students, parents, and the community. She was the soul and spirit of every school she led, and everyone who worked for her felt like a member of her family. She was an extraordinary mentor, and her sphere of influence produced a generation of leaders. Her friends and members of her school community will remember her curly black hair, infectious smile, sharp wit, classy dress, engaging personality, and that she was always the life of the party. Her charisma and positive energy were contagious and compelling, and motivated those around her to reach their highest potential. She was truly an inspiration, and improved the lives of thousands of students.
Michele's family and friends will remember that she always put others first. She was unparalleled in her generosity, kindness, friendship and the personal sacrifices she made for her family, friends, colleagues, and school community. She lived each day the way she taught, maximizing every opportunity to enjoy life to the fullest. She fully embraced her life and her career with love, enthusiasm, laughter, and joy and most of all, learning. We are all in debt to Michele, because her bright spirit and high expectations of all of us have made us better people.
Michele was preceded in death by her father Edward S. MacKool and is survived by her dear mother Rita MacKool, loving sisters Marianne Thomas (Tony), Maggie Scott (Michael), Marlene Morfoot (Chuck), Marcia Bruno (John) and brothers Ed MacKool (Cheryl), Jim MacKool (Andrea) numerous nephews and nieces and great nephews.
Reno Gazette-Journal Sept. 13, 2013
Michele Collins passed away peacefully, surrounded by family and friends in Phoenix, Arizona on August 28, after courageously battling an extended illness. She was born in Detroit, Michigan in 1953 to Edward and Rita MacKool. In 1973 she married Dana Collins, and they shared their lives together until his passing in June of 2003.
Michele attended Wayne State University, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Education. She continued her education after moving to Reno 1978. She attended the University of Nevada, Reno, and earned a Master of Education and her Doctorate in Education in 1994.
Michele started teaching in the Washoe County School District at Traner Middle School in 1979, and taught Home Economics, English, Math, and reading. She moved into her role of educational leadership as Dean of Students at Traner Middle School and continued to move forward as principal at Traner, O'Brien and Swope middle schools. In 2007 she received the "National Distinguished Principal Award" and had the honor to receive her award at the White House. In 2007 she was selected to be the Senior Director of middle schools until she retired in 2009.
Dr. Collins had a brilliant and productive career and retired with the reputation as one of the most effective and beloved leaders in the history of Washoe County School District. She had the ability to step into a new school and analyze the strengths already present, and use her skills to take the school to the next level. Michele was a galvanizing force wherever she went she was passionate about developing her craft as well as that of her teachers in order to best serve all students in her charge. She had the ability to create a dynamic and challenging culture of learning where she modeled an impeccable work ethic while building enduring relationships with staff, students, parents, and the community. She was the soul and spirit of every school she led, and everyone who worked for her felt like a member of her family. She was an extraordinary mentor, and her sphere of influence produced a generation of leaders. Her friends and members of her school community will remember her curly black hair, infectious smile, sharp wit, classy dress, engaging personality, and that she was always the life of the party. Her charisma and positive energy were contagious and compelling, and motivated those around her to reach their highest potential. She was truly an inspiration, and improved the lives of thousands of students.
Michele's family and friends will remember that she always put others first. She was unparalleled in her generosity, kindness, friendship and the personal sacrifices she made for her family, friends, colleagues, and school community. She lived each day the way she taught, maximizing every opportunity to enjoy life to the fullest. She fully embraced her life and her career with love, enthusiasm, laughter, and joy and most of all, learning. We are all in debt to Michele, because her bright spirit and high expectations of all of us have made us better people.
Michele was preceded in death by her father Edward S. MacKool and is survived by her dear mother Rita MacKool, loving sisters Marianne Thomas (Tony), Maggie Scott (Michael), Marlene Morfoot (Chuck), Marcia Bruno (John) and brothers Ed MacKool (Cheryl), Jim MacKool (Andrea) numerous nephews and nieces and great nephews.
Reno Gazette-Journal Sept. 13, 2013
Michele attended Wayne State University, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Education. She continued her education after moving to Reno 1978. She attended the University of Nevada, Reno, and earned a Master of Education and her Doctorate in Education in 1994.
Michele started teaching in the Washoe County School District at Traner Middle School in 1979, and taught Home Economics, English, Math, and reading. She moved into her role of educational leadership as Dean of Students at Traner Middle School and continued to move forward as principal at Traner, O'Brien and Swope middle schools. In 2007 she received the "National Distinguished Principal Award" and had the honor to receive her award at the White House. In 2007 she was selected to be the Senior Director of middle schools until she retired in 2009.
Dr. Collins had a brilliant and productive career and retired with the reputation as one of the most effective and beloved leaders in the history of Washoe County School District. She had the ability to step into a new school and analyze the strengths already present, and use her skills to take the school to the next level. Michele was a galvanizing force wherever she went she was passionate about developing her craft as well as that of her teachers in order to best serve all students in her charge. She had the ability to create a dynamic and challenging culture of learning where she modeled an impeccable work ethic while building enduring relationships with staff, students, parents, and the community. She was the soul and spirit of every school she led, and everyone who worked for her felt like a member of her family. She was an extraordinary mentor, and her sphere of influence produced a generation of leaders. Her friends and members of her school community will remember her curly black hair, infectious smile, sharp wit, classy dress, engaging personality, and that she was always the life of the party. Her charisma and positive energy were contagious and compelling, and motivated those around her to reach their highest potential. She was truly an inspiration, and improved the lives of thousands of students.
Michele's family and friends will remember that she always put others first. She was unparalleled in her generosity, kindness, friendship and the personal sacrifices she made for her family, friends, colleagues, and school community. She lived each day the way she taught, maximizing every opportunity to enjoy life to the fullest. She fully embraced her life and her career with love, enthusiasm, laughter, and joy and most of all, learning. We are all in debt to Michele, because her bright spirit and high expectations of all of us have made us better people.
Michele was preceded in death by her father Edward S. MacKool and is survived by her dear mother Rita MacKool, loving sisters Marianne Thomas (Tony), Maggie Scott (Michael), Marlene Morfoot (Chuck), Marcia Bruno (John) and brothers Ed MacKool (Cheryl), Jim MacKool (Andrea) numerous nephews and nieces and great nephews.
Reno Gazette-Journal Sept. 13, 2013
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