My name is Michelle Breeden, and I have proudly served in education since 2006. A native of Madison and a graduate of Madison City Schools, I attended Liberty Middle School and Bob Jones High School—experiences that shaped both my love for learning and my commitment to this community.

I am honored to be one of the founding teachers at Journey Middle School, where I have thoroughly enjoyed helping build a school culture rooted in excellence, collaboration, and student growth. Prior to Journey, I spent 17 years teaching at Liberty Middle School, an experience that laid the foundation for my instructional philosophy and leadership approach.

Throughout my career, I have been recognized for both instructional innovation and professional leadership. I was a presenter at the Association for Middle Level Education National Conference in 2016 and have been awarded multiple grants, including the Arthur Orr 21st Century Grant, Madison Street Festival Grant, Alabama A&M Literacy Grant, and the TVA STEM Grant in 2019. In 2017, I earned National Board Certification in Early Adolescent Social Science, further maintaining my certification in 2021 and currently pursuing my second cycle of maintenance.

In addition to teaching, I have been deeply involved in athletics and student leadership. As a Competition Cheerleading Coach, I led the Liberty Middle School Cheerleaders to a 5th-place finish at UCA National Championships, the highest placement ever achieved by a Madison City middle school program at the national level. Over eight years of coaching cheer, my teams earned multiple regional titles and consistently placed as Top 5 finalists at the state level. I have also coached dance team and girls’ soccer, serving as the Liberty Middle School girls’ soccer coach for 12 years and leading the program to numerous championships before proudly passing the role on to a former player. Currently, I serve as the Assistant Athletic Director overseeing Spirit Teams and Concessions at Journey Middle School.

I live in the Madison community with my son, Liam, who attends Heritage Elementary School. Both professionally and personally, I am deeply invested in supporting students, families, and the community that has shaped my own journey.