Michelle Ulanowicz-Kindergarten

  1. How long have you taught at O’Hara? This is my eighth year teaching at O’Hara . I had many longterm positions here before though.
  2. Why do you like the grade that you currently teach? Kindergarten is such an amazing grade to teach! The children come in at all different levels, so eager and excited to learn. Honestly, I love spending my days with them, building our classroom community, and learning together. The growth both socially and academically from beginning of the year to the end is amazing!
  3. When is your birthday? September 9th
  4. Are you from this area or did you grow up elsewhere? I grew up in Butler, but I have lived here for 28 years now. My husband Sean grew up in the area and graduated from Fox Chapel. When I met Sean I moved here and I love it!
  5. In your free time, where do you like to go? What do you like to do? In my free time I really enjoy camping and just being outdoors. I also LOVE to shop, build puzzles, do yoga, and read. Where do I like to go? Quiet woodsy campgrounds with family. I also really enjoy the shops in Lawrenceville, Shadyside, and the Strip District.
  6. What are you favorite ways to relax/pamper yourself? Shopping!! Sleeping in and enjoying a great cup of tea when I wake up. Binge watching my favorite movies. Dinner out with family and friends.
  7. What is your favorite team or sport? Oh boy, I am not a sports fan. I know, I live in Pittsburgh!
  8. What is your favorite color? Purple
  9. What is your favorite place to vacation? Why? I would have to say Bethany Beach Delaware, Sea Colony tennis side. Why? Well my very first visit to the beach was with my husband 28 years ago and we stayed at Sea Colony ocean side. Just this past summer we went back but stayed on the tennis side. The house was beautiful, but most of all we had our now grown children and their spouses/significant others and my mother with us. My mom had never in 67 years of life seen the ocean! Think about that. My first visit there Sean and I were newly married. This past summer there we were with our beautiful family that we are so blessed to have. Definitely my favorite vacation spot!
  10. What is your favorite sweet treat/snack? Haagen-Dazs strawberry ice cream, cheesecake, chocolate cake with chocolate icing.
  11. What is your favorite season? Why? Fall because I get to wear cute scarves and boots!!
  12. What is your favorite meal and restaurant? That’s tough!! I love to eat out. Honestly I like just about everything but if I had to pick I would say Mad Mex because I think they have the best guacamole. Sean and I do like to just venture out though and find those little local restaurants. I am all about comfort and good food!
  13. What is your favorite flower? Daisies
  14. What are your most needed classroom supplies? Kleenex!!
  15. What is your favorite coffee pod flavor? Just medium roast. Super simple! I am more of a tea girl.
  16. Is there anything special or interesting about you that you would like to share with us? I went to college to earn by bachelors degree when our youngest child started Kindergarten at O’Hara. I was in my mid thirties. Sean was and still is an amazing support. With three small children at home, I completed my studies at IUP and earned my degree. I always knew I wanted to teach at O’Hara and I never gave up on that goal. I have since earned my Masters degree and have been teaching at O’Hara for eight years now. Also, I LOVE Kindergarten!!
  17. What can classroom parents do to help you the most? Helping with parties, field trips and learning centers are so important to me and the children.