- Graduate of the Class of 1994
- Program Manager with Strategies to Empower People (STEP)
Michelle Noschese, a former May Queen and a proud WPSD Class of 1994 graduate, is the daughter of WPSD employee, Robert Noschese, and Marcia Kusher, also a WPSD alumnus (1965). Upon graduation from WPSD in 1994, she enrolled at Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C. and majored in Education and Social Work. Unfortunately, she had to leave Gallaudet after being involved in a very serious automobile accident that left her with short-term memory issues. However, that did not stop Michelle, her positive attitude and outlook on life changed her journey in her life.
Shortly after accident, she took a job as a vocational instructor for the Family Service Foundation in Landover Hills, Maryland, working with adults with intellectual development disabilities. She was promoted to supervisor of a vocational team and spearheaded the Individual Habilitation Plan that included development plans for the clients, parents, and social workers. Soon she became a Team Leader at the Tanley House, a residential setting for her clients, and volunteered her time to interpret for Deaf and Blind people in Maryland.
In 1998, after a full recovery from the car accident in 1998, she moved to Minnesota to continue her work in the mental health field. While there, Michelle received the Outstanding Direct Service award at the Minnesota Habilitation Coalition conference in recognition for her work with people with developmental disabilities.
She moved to Sacramento, California in 2002 after accepting a job as Program Manager with Strategies to Empower People (STEP). STEP is an agency out of Sacramento, CA that provides a wide range of support services to adults with intellectual developmental disabilities. She has been with STEP for twelve years as of 2015. Her responsibilities include assessments of potential clients, recruiting employees, community integration, and staff development.
Her advice to current WPSD students is to maintain a positive attitude. Making mistakes is a learning experience and if a student is struggling with something, they should analyze the situation, follow your intuition and do what you feel is right. Never dwell on the past and move forward. We all are teachers in life and we all learn from each other. The word “failure” isn’t in Michelle’s dictionary.
In her free time, she enjoys hiking and backpacking in the mountains in California. Michelle also enjoys bird-watching and wildlife watching, fishing, and many other outdoor activities. WPSD thanks Michelle for taking the time out of her very busy life taking to us. Best wishes to her for continued success in her life.
This article was published in The Western Pennsylvanian newsletter, Volume 128, No. 2, Winter 2015.