My name is Michele Lippens and I am running for School Committee in Ward 3.
As a career teacher, I’m running for School Committee because I believe that every child in Somerville—regardless of their background, abilities, ethnicity or socio-economic status—deserves the opportunity to thrive.
My run for School Committee is personal. I have lived and breathed public education for nearly 20 years. My husband, a lieutenant with the Somerville Fire Department, and I moved to Somerville over twenty years ago after college in 2003. We chose Somerville as the place to raise our family because we believe in this city—its values, its diversity, and its schools. I am a public school teacher, a proud union member and a parent of a 4th grader and 6th grader at the Kennedy School, and rising 9th grader at the Somerville Highschool. Two of my children have individualized education plans and I know all too well the challenges this creates both at home and at school.
Education is power—and so it must be accessible to everyone, not just in theory, but in practice. We need to be honest about whether students are feeling successful in Somerville schools and confront disparities that have historically left our most vulnerable students behind.
As a veteran public school teacher, I see these challenges every day—not from a distance, but up close with my own students. If elected, I would be the only public school teacher on the School Committee. That’s not just a distinction—it’s a responsibility. It means bringing a critical, grounded perspective to the table—one rooted in experience and the daily realities of our students, as well as our educators.
During the pandemic, I stepped up to lead the Somerville SEPAC because families needed guidance, connection, and advocacy. We hosted workshops, virtual town halls, partnered with Massachusetts Advocates for Children, and made sure that even in the most difficult times, parents didn’t feel alone. I’ve worked to make schools more inclusive through securing interpretation services and building partnerships that empower all families to advocate for their children. I’ll continue this work by supporting educator training, strengthening community and family partnerships, and expanding programs like Career and Technical Education that connect students to their futures. That’s the kind of leadership I bring—collaborative, informed, and deeply human.
Educators bring essential knowledge to school policy conversations. We know how decisions made in budget meetings impact real classrooms, real students, and real families. I’ve taught in inclusive classrooms, advocated for children with special needs, helped many families in Somerville navigate the complexities of getting services for their children, and mentored the next generation of teachers. I know what it takes to support my fellow teachers and learners of all abilities—and I’ve seen what happens when that support is missing.
My grassroots activism happens every day. By teaching students a new way to tackle a complex problem, incorporating under-represented voices and perspectives in my day to day teaching, practicing mindfulness to reduce anxiety and stress, directly advocating for services to meet the needs of our students, and so much more… I see the benefits of schools, families, and the community partnering together for a shared goal of helping every student live up to their full potential.
I know that when students feel connected, loved, and supported, they thrive. And when students thrive, communities thrive.
I will advocate for policies that advance equity—by supporting social-emotional learning, addressing implicit bias, and ensuring restorative justice in our schools. I’ll fight for the resources our students need: more counselors, social workers, and special education teachers.
This campaign isn’t just about what I’ve done—it’s about what we can do together.
Together, we can make our schools more inclusive and equitable.
Together, we can ensure every budget reflects the needs of our students, not just the numbers on a spreadsheet.
Together, we can prioritize collaboration and partnership with families and educators.
And together, we can prepare our students to be lifelong learners, critical thinkers, confident problem-solvers, and changemakers in a world we’ve yet to imagine.
I promise to bring my years of experience -teacher, parent, mentor, advocate—to the table and work for policies that center our kids, support our educators, and strengthen our entire school community.
My values – family, kindness, community, and joy – guide everything I do. I love Somerville , and I believe our public schools should be places where students feel supported, loved, challenged and inspired. My campaign is about listening, learning, and leading. And I’m so proud to be here, doing this work with and for you.
Let’s get to work. Thank you!