{"id":12301,"date":"2021-10-23T16:52:00","date_gmt":"2021-10-23T21:52:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bluekc.com\/blueprint\/?p=12301"},"modified":"2025-12-18T16:53:48","modified_gmt":"2025-12-18T21:53:48","slug":"2021-blue-kc-sporting-samaritan-honoree-michelle-langton","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bluekc.com\/blueprint\/community-and-culture\/sports-partnerships-community-and-culture\/2021-blue-kc-sporting-samaritan-honoree-michelle-langton\/","title":{"rendered":"2021 Blue KC Sporting Samaritan Honoree Michelle Langton"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Michelle Langton has been named the Blue KC Sporting Samaritan for October.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The kindness and compassion Michelle Langton expresses to her students has been on full display for the past two decades. During her various teaching stints in both Kansas and Florida, Langton has found the perfect fit at Broken Arrow Elementary School in the Shawnee Mission School District. For the past four years, she\u2019s taught a \u2018Structured Learning Classroom\u2019 that helps students learn how to communicate \u2013 whether through spoken language, gestures, picture exchanges or augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe have one of the largest Small Learning Community (SLC) elementary programs in the district,\u201d said Langton. \u201cI\u2019m privileged to work with amazing paraprofessionals that are right next to me, helping me give the students the necessary skills they need to be successful.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Langton\u2019s classroom varies but mostly consists of students with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Down syndrome, Traumatic Brain Disorder or other disabilities where there is a significant communication delay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOur team\u2019s goal is to model an environment that creates a safe and welcoming learning environment for all students,\u201d said Langton.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While it may be difficult to pinpoint one specific moment or accomplishment during Langton\u2019s ongoing career, she says her proudest moments are when she sees a student playing with someone else who previously didn\u2019t possess that skill. She also cherishes watching her students initiate communication and conversation on their own when they didn\u2019t have that skill beforehand. Every milestone is celebrated, no matter how big or small.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Langton_Blue<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

After receiving her undergraduate teaching degree from Kansas State University, Langton continued her studies and earned her master\u2019s degree from the University of Kansas. She is currently continuing her education courses at Pittsburg State University and Baker University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAlways end the school day letting your students know you can\u2019t wait to see them again tomorrow, no matter what the circumstances have been,\u201d said Langton. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

She encourages her students to show kindness on a daily basis and reminds them that what may be easy for them, may not be as easy for others. Langton wants her students to \u201cBe the best YOU can be.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When it comes to instilling standards with those she teaches, Langton knows that the students at Broken Arrow Elementary are always watching and always listening. They\u2019re closely following each teacher for prompts on how to respond to everyday stimuli. She knows that it is her job to present a daily model for solving problems, self-regulating emotions and showing kindness to one another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Langton_Blue<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a great honor to be recognized (as a Blue KC Sporting Samaritan), especially after the year we have just experienced,\u201d said Langton. \u201cOf all my years teaching, this has been hardest, but also the most rewarding. Teachers don\u2019t go into education for the recognition, but if it does happen, it is such a humbling experience.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMichelle is a special needs teacher with the understanding and patience of a saint,\u201d said Nicole Welsh, Michelle\u2019s nominator. \u201cShe truly loves all of her students and even contacts us during breaks from school and during the summer, just to check in on how her students are doing. She has gone above and beyond any expectations we would have had for our son’s teacher, and we love her dearly.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAs you can see from Michelle\u2019s nominator, her dedication and perseverance to helping those she teaches is a quality we should all strive for,\u201d said Christa Dubill, Blue KC Chief Communications Officer. \u201cMichelle embraces the challenge of educating and assisting those who need it most and does it with a shining smile day-after-day. We\u2019re proud to highlight her 20+ years of teaching and enjoy sharing her story with those in the Kansas City community.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n

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Blue KC supports the Kansas City community through impactful sports partnership programs<\/h3>

Blue KC Sporting Samaritan Program<\/p> <\/div>\n

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