Coppell High School long-term substitute teacher Michelle Bellish returns to CHS this year after previously teaching algebra II for seven years before retiring due to COVID-19. She reignites her passion of teaching as a long-term substitute for algebra II teacher Hanna Treece during her maternity leave this school year.

How long have you been teaching and what was a deciding factor to your career choice? 

I have 32 years of experience teaching and I got [interested in] it when I was in [Sam Houston State University]. I wanted to give back [because] I had trouble in school, I know how important having a teacher who cares is to students. 

Why did you choose to come back to teaching as a substitute? How does it feel after previously teaching algebra II at CHS?

I came back as a substitute for the fact that the district will not rehire me right now. They don’t do retiree hires. I’m hoping that I can get a full-time position; if not here in Coppell then another school district. I did not want to retire, [however] last year due to COVID and having to take care of my parents, at that point I did not have an option.

How do you feel about returning to a math classroom?

I love it. I’m enjoying it. It still gives me energy. I like to watch when the light bulb comes on and somebody finally gets [a concept]. It gives me a lot of pleasure to do that and help some kids who struggle and those that understand, take them a little bit further.

How did your transition into the classroom feel in the middle of the school year?

The last few weeks [have] felt natural. It was harder to build relationships because usually the first couple of weeks when the mathematics isn’t so hard, I would take the time to learn names and get to know everybody in the classroom. Coming in, it felt like I hit the ground running; I haven’t had that time to interact in more personal meetings because the math has gotten harder. 

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