BY FREDA MIKLIN
STAFF WRITER
Michelle Redfearn holds a B.S. in nursing from Southeast Missouri State University, an M.S. in pediatric nursing with an emphasis in education, including curriculum development, from St. Louis University, and a Ph.D. in nursing from the University of Missouri. She serves as affiliate faculty at Regis University, where she teaches pediatric nursing.
Michelle and her husband of 26 years, Dr. Ryan Redfearn, a dentist in Highlands Ranch and Englewood, are the parents of four children. The oldest, Merrill, who will soon graduate from college, began attending Littleton Public Schools in 2005. The youngest, Matthew, is a senior at Arapahoe High School. When he graduates this spring, members of the Redfearn family will have attended Littleton Public Schools continuously for 20 years.
She told The Villager, “I’ve been the PTO president at Arapahoe High School for the past three years. Before that, I was the vice-president, and before that, I was the secretary. I ran after-prom for many years, before and after the pandemic. As long as I’ve had kids at Arapahoe, that’s where I wanted to be. I’ve always been where my kids are. As Matthew approached graduation, I realized my time in my kids’ school was ending, but I wasn’t done yet. After having spent 20 years in my kids’ schools, I decided I could serve my community by putting what I’ve learned to use as a member of the LPS school board.”
We met Michelle at the ribbon cutting for LPS’ new EPIC campus. Although she told us that current school board members don’t formally endorse candidates for the board, we noticed that nearly all the current and former board members present came over to greet her warmly.
As a member of the LPS school board, Michelle hopes to maintain academic rigor while focusing on children as individuals, to provide them with the best chance to succeed. Other stated goals she has identified are:
- Recruiting, retaining, and supporting exceptional teachers, administrators, and staff;
- Being an informed and fiscally responsible steward of education funds;
- Advocating for community and family involvement to create partners in education.
Two of the five seats on the non-partisan LPS school board will be filled in the November 7 election. One of those positions is presently held by incumbent board member, Lindley McCrary, who is eligible for re-election and has declared her intention to run for another term. The other board seat is currently filled by Robert Reichardt. Mr. Reichardt is term-limited and has announced his candidacy for Littleton City Council. All positions serve at large, so the two candidates on the November ballot who receive the highest number of votes from residents of the LPS district will be elected to a four-year term.
fmiklin.villager@gmail.com