Professor Michelle Hughes was inspired to go into education by several people. Her mom who taught preschool, kindergarten and first grade gave Michelle her first interest in education. Michelle was also inspired by her dynamic high school English teacher, Mrs. Zastrow, who enthusiastically tape recorded lectures for her senior English classes while battling cancer.
Professor Hughes attended Westmont College and earned a B.A. in English as well as a secondary teaching credential from Westmont’s Education Department. Michelle decided to “settle” in Santa Barbara after graduation where she taught junior high English for seven years. While working on her Master’s in Educational Leadership at California State Northridge, she transitioned to a local high school where she took on the position as an assistant principal. Michelle’s duties as an assistant principal over her thirteen-year tenure included student discipline, teacher observation and evaluation, campus safety, truancy, Associated Student Body budgets, graduation and prom planning, staff development, and athletic supervision. Michelle also served as head editor of her school’s National Blue Ribbon grant which the school was awarded in Washington D.C. in the fall of 2000.

Michelle embraces the opportunity to work at Westmont College each day and enjoys passing on numerous realistic experiences from her years in public education. Michelle is passionate about making connections with Westmont students, promoting the teaching profession, teaching social justice issues in the K-12 classroom and character education. She also loves encouraging students to put their faith into action in the classroom.  Michelle hopes to inspire Westmont students to serve and develop life-long learners in and out of the classroom while loving children.

Michelle enjoys spending time with her husband Chris, a ’88 Westmont alum and local teacher/coach,  and their two children, Haley and Grant. They are actively involved in their local church and children's elementary school. Additionally, Michelle and family enjoy spending summer vacations in Mammoth Lakes, CA , biking and hiking.