When I interviewed at Millikan Middle School in 1981, I told the Principal, Mr. Charles Mortensen, that "I am an artist and I would love to teach art."  Mr. Mortensen responded, "I don't need an art teacher; I need a math teacher."  As I always pursed Math, Art, Writing, and Psychology throughout school, I was hired to teach Math at Millikan.  Ten years later, when the Drama teacher went on maternity leave and then decided not to return, I told our next Principal, Ms. Gladi Adams, "I'm a wirter and I would love to teach Drama."  Ms. Adams said, "Fine; teach Drama."  So, I taught Drama, along with Math and Teen Living (a Psychology class I wrote for teenagers) until my Drama program grew into 6 periods a day.  Then, when Millikan Middle School became a Performing Arts Magnet, with an emphasis on Musical Theater, I went to the Principal, Mr. Pete Ferry, and said, "I am an artist and I would love to teach Art.  Mr. Ferry said, "Then teach Art," which was a good decision considering my artistic skills far outweight my musical talents.  I have now been teaching Art for 15+ years.  

Along with teaching Art at Millikan Middle School, I am the creator and teacher of Rainbow Council, which is my homeroom.  The page on Rainbow Council further explains the focus and dedication of this group.

Before teaching at Millikan Middle School, I taught Kindergarten through Second Grade, wrote Readiness Programs for private preschools in the San Fernando Valley, and I was a Counselor at Hale Middle School.

During the time that I have taught at Millikan Middle School, I have also taught Art and Fashion Design courses at Champs Charter HIgh School, taught Design courses at El Cmaino Real High School over the summer, taught Math and U.S. Government courses at Polytechnic Adult Education, and taught Math, Psychology, Art, and Teacher Credentialing courses for 4 different Universities: Otis College of Art and Design, University of Phoenix, Nathional Univeristy, and the University of San Diego.  I was also an Individual and Family Therapist and I worked with court assigned clients for issues involving child abuse and child endangerment.

STATS

     Mrs. Aileen Michel-Henderson

     Visual Arts Teacher

     Visual Communications Department Chairperson

     Rainbow Council Homeroom Teacher

COLLEGE DEGREES

     Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies, with a minor in Psychology

     Masters Degree in Education

     Masters Degree in Educational Psychology; Counseling and Guidance

TEACHING CREDENTIALS

     Multiple Subject Credential (teach any K-12 subject courses and Adult Education)

     Math Credential

     Art Credential

     English Credential     

     Social Science Credential (teach Psychology and Sociology courses)

     Counseling Credential

My philosophy,

When teachers teach, students learn.

ABOUT MRS. AILEEN MICHEL-HENDERSON