After 28 years in education, 16 years with Waukee Community School District, and 11 years helping to launch and lead Waukee APEX and our district’s work-based learning efforts, it’s time to turn the page.
This stack of journals, dating back to 2013, reflects years of thoughtful conversations with business partners, academic colleagues, community allies, students, our amazing staff, and one unstoppable business development manager (thank you, Peg). The journals hold meeting notes, planning sessions, and moments where I “pushed the pencil” to figure out how we might do things just a little differently within the system we had. Each page is a small reminder of the persistence and partnership it took to create something meaningful, even in spaces slow to change.
Helping to build a startup within a public school district was no small task. It was bold, exhausting, energizing, and above all, worth it.
To the WILC team (past and present): You are the most hard-working and often misunderstood team I’ve ever had the honor to serve. A group bursting with heart, hustle, and just enough fun to tame the chaos and make it all possible.
But the true fuel through it all? The students and now, our alumni. Their light bulb moments, when they realized their voice mattered, when they saw themselves as capable, connected, and confident, filled my bucket in ways words can’t fully express. Celebrating their wins, big and small, and watching their journeys unfold reminded me why we do this work. Those moments sustain educators, even on the hardest days.
I’ve always tried to lead as a servant, to empower others, create opportunities, and amplify voices. The most rewarding part of this journey has been seeing those ripples carry outward into the world through our students, our staff, our partners, and our community.
To my mentors, past and present: thank you for your wisdom and belief. You’ve shaped me and every step of this path.
It’s not easy to step away from something you’ve poured your heart into. But I do so with deep pride, endless gratitude, and confidence that the seeds we planted together will keep growing for years to come. The WILC is in incredible hands with the new team coming in and Kathleen Sender leading the WILC.
My only immediate next step? A summer break. One that includes plenty of time at the ball field and making memories with my family.
More coming soon. But for now, thank you.
Sincerely,
Michelle Hill, Director of Work-Based Learning – signing off