There are teachers who show up and do their job. And then there are teachers like Ms. Makelle, who show up and become part of something bigger.
Makelle joined Rise Above in 2024 and has worked in nearly every classroom since. She knows the children, the families, and the rhythms of this place in a way that takes time to build. Right now, she calls the infant room home, but her presence is felt throughout the entire center.
You can feel the connection she has built when you watch a preschooler make a point of stopping by the infant room just to say goodbye to her at the end of the day. That kind of relationship does not happen by accident. It comes from someone who genuinely sees and loves every child she works with.
Makelle is the kind of person who fills a room with warmth. She loves to make people laugh and holds the gift of real human connection close. She enjoys the outdoors, and her nurturing spirit extends beyond school hours: she babysits for many of the Rise Above families, a testament to the deep trust she has built with the people in this community.
We are so grateful for Ms. Makelle and all that she brings to Rise Above every single day.
