Michelle Cottrell, Lincoln County School District’s District Media Specialist, is being recognized across Oregon for her passion and dedication to school libraries. She was recently named the 2025 OASL District Teacher-Librarian of the Year by the Oregon Association of School Libraries. The award will be formally presented at the annual OASL Conference this October.
That recognition caps off a remarkable year for Michelle, who also graduated from Western Oregon University with a Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies, earning the prestigious Summa Cum Laude honors.
Finding Her Path
Michelle has served Lincoln County students for nearly a decade. She began her career as a Title Assistant and later transitioned into the school library setting. Now, as the District Media Specialist, she supports library programming across all schools and works closely with the district’s team of Media Assistants.
“I always wished I had gone to college but thought I’d missed my chance when I didn’t go right after high school,” Michelle said. That changed when she was encouraged by then-District Media Specialist Bryan Freschi to explore the district’s Grow Your Own program — a pathway for employees to pursue higher education while continuing to serve LCSD students.
Balancing Work, School, and Family
Michelle enrolled at Western Oregon while juggling multiple roles: full-time employee, parent of two teenagers, and Assistant Coach for the Newport High School Dance Team.
“I couldn’t have done it without the support of LCSD and my family,” she said. She credits Bryan Freschi, Jennie Williams, and Tiana DeVries for guiding her through the college process and helping her navigate licensing requirements.
As the first college graduate in her family, the journey wasn’t always easy. In 2022, Michelle’s mother — who had encouraged her to return to school — passed away. “My last promise to her was that I’d keep my 4.0. That promise kept me going and helped me graduate at the top of my class.”
Looking Ahead
Michelle is already continuing her education. She’s now enrolled in a licensure program to earn her permanent Teaching License as a District Media Specialist, which she expects to complete by fall 2025. “Going back to school has changed my life. I have my dream job supporting school libraries and students. Without my degree, I wouldn’t be able to do this work in the same way,” she said.
Encouraging Others
To others thinking about taking a similar path, Michelle has some advice. “Though it was hard balancing school, work, and family, going through this process didn’t just help me meet my goals — it showed my kids how important it is to support those you love. It taught them it’s never too late to go after your dreams.”
She recommends others start small. “Take one or two classes that sound interesting or could help in your current role. Whether you earn a degree or just gain new knowledge, there’s so much to be gained.”
Michelle’s story is a powerful example of how LCSD’s Grow Your Own program can create real opportunities for employees to grow their careers and continue making a difference in students’ lives.