New Teacher Feature: Lex Michel

XAVI HERNANDEZ, DANIEL GRAY, and MIHIR SIMHA, Contributing Writers

While sitting at his desk in the English Department, Mr. Lex Michel remembers a moment in high school when he was grappling with an assignment, and self-doubt began to smother him like a fire blanket.

Photo by Erick Castro-Mejia

He was approached with kindness and empathy by his English teacher, who explained the material to him in a way he understood, and set him on a path that led to North Brunswick Township High School (NBTHS).

“I got into teaching because when I was in high school, my teacher inspired me not to give up,” Mr. Michel said. “He kept believing in me when I was starting to doubt myself. I knew I wanted to do what he did for me one day.”  

This moment set off a domino effect that led to a career in education. From that day forward, Mr. Michel had the determination to become just like that teacher and help students like him who were struggling with confidence.

After graduating from Perth Amboy High School, Mr. Michel attended Rutgers University, where he completed a five-year program and earned both a Bachelor's Degree and a Master's Degree in Secondary English Education.

Mr. Michel had a desire to help students through high school, just like his English teacher had helped him.

“High school is such an important time in your life. You’re still trying to figure out who you are. I want to be a teacher who can help kids figure out who they are,” Mr. Michel said. “I learned a lot (at Rutgers). I’m learning a lot every day about people in general, about what they need, and learning how to be patient and how to help students in need.” 

As a student teacher in the New Brunswick Public School District, Mr. Michel gained new insights into what lies ahead of him, and he was confident that this was the right career for him to pursue. 

Mr. Michel has come a long way from his humble roots, starting as a high school student with a dream to become a professional English teacher, and he stated, “I think it was always English for me. Everything goes back to my teachers.” 

When discussing his teaching style, Mr. Michel said, “Not every kid takes advice the same way, and I need to learn how to adapt to different learners. I often think about how some students may struggle with self-doubt, but I also struggle with self-doubt too, and I am learning as much as I can to help as many of my students as I can.” 

Mr. Michel gives an inspiring message: “I feel like it’s so easy that this, what you are right now, is the best you can offer. But you are so much more than what you are doing today. It’s not easy, it’s never super easy. You are a lot stronger than you think you are.”

Mr. Michel’s journey proves that no matter how hard the road is, if you keep persevering, you will get to your destination.