“Full of wonder and excitement” is how Michelle Takach describes her students, but it might as well be her own personal motto.
Takach, a beloved Eden Elementary School kindergarten teacher, was named Teacher of the Year for all of Greenfield-Central schools.
Her passion for learning and sharing that joy with others is infectious.
“What brings me the most joy is being able to connect with students,” Takach said. “I take pride in helping students believe in themselves and their ability to succeed. For some children, school is the one place they feel truly seen, loved, and supported, and it brings me joy to make my classroom a safe, happy space for them.”
On a recent fall morning in GC’s northern-most elementary school building, Takach gave each of her students a hand-held mirror so they could look at themselves.
A daily tradition, she recited their empowerment statements:
I am loved. (“Do you feel it? Do you feel loved?” she asked.)
I am strong.
I am smart.
I am brave.
Takach’s classroom is filled with reminders of her own childhood– from toys from the 1980s to personal stories she shares about her elementary school years.
It’s no wonder for the educator who remembers playing school with her friends for as long as she can remember. She wants to pass along the energy to her students, even when it means sharing what kindergarten was like for her.
“I love this age because they are full of wonder and excitement,” she said. “They want to learn everything about the world around them. In Kindergarten, you get to see the greatest growth from your students. We have children that come in not knowing the letters in their name and by the end of the year they are reading books. They start the year as little learners– babies to many– and when they are ready to leave, you almost don’t recognize them. They are independent and ready to take on the world.”
Takach grew up in central Indiana and, upon graduation from Ball State University, worked in both Warren Township and northern Kentucky. The family moved back to Indiana and found their home in Greenfield in 2012. She stayed home with her two children until her youngest started kindergarten, and her dream job has always been to teach kindergarten.
She’s been at Eden Elementary for 12 years.
Principal Joey Johnson said he knew Takach back when she was a parent volunteer, and immediately noticed her love of children and ability to engage with students. Now, he says he’s blessed to work with her again as a teacher and educational leader.
“She truly cares for her students and demonstrates leadership in our whole building,” Johnson said.
Superintendent Dr. Harold Olin echoes those sentiments. Her colleagues at Eden are appreciative of her willingness to listen and be a mentor.
Takach is visible at school and in the community, and makes herself accessible to parents and colleagues, Olin said.
“Michelle creates an incredibly welcoming learning space, and thus helps her students develop a love for learning in the formal school setting that remains a part of who they are,” he added.
Back in the classroom after the students looked in their tiny mirrors and reminded themselves of how loved and strong they are, the children sat down and were captivated by Takach’s lesson on “The Three Little Pigs.”
The day before, they had read a traditional version of the story. Now, they learned the wolf’s perspective by opening up a new book together.
Just as Takach told them they would create a drawing at their desks about which version of the story they liked better, one boy raised both hands and proclaimed, “This is the best school ever!”
It’s moments like those that make Takach’s heart melt.
“My students have taught me that love, kindness and encouragement can make a lasting difference,” she said. “They’ve shown me the power of patience, the joy in celebrating small victories, and the beauty of seeing the world with innocent eyes.”
Even while working in small groups, Takach’s patience with her students is evident. As she helped a trio of readers look through a book together, two boys consistently walked up to her to ask a question. She paused, calmly encouraged them to think about what letter made the end of the word “m-o-p” and then juggled back to her original trio.
Takach said one of the most challenging aspects of her job is also the reason she loves it so much. The range of abilities that students start within kindergarten is enormous.
“You can have a group of students that can read some words; another that can read a third-grade level book; and then some students that have never held a pencil or know how to use scissors,” she said. “It is my job to meet all the children at their level and grow them at a pace that is appropriate for the individual student.”
Takach was awarded GC Teacher of the Year just before the start of the 2025-2026 school year. Each GC building had one teacher eligible for the honor, and Takach said she was shocked when her name was called.
“I was very humbled because I stood on the stage with some amazing educators– some of them my own children have had before, so I know how dedicated and deserving of an award they were,” she said. “To be recognized for doing something I love so much meant the world to me. I felt proud, grateful, and reminded of how lucky I am to do what I love every single day.”
By Maribeth Vaughn
“To be recognized for doing something I love so much meant the world to me. I felt proud, grateful, and reminded of how lucky I am to do what I love every single day,” Takach said.