Michelle Ferguson, Social Worker at Pioneer Elementary

Hi! I am Michelle Ferguson, School Social Worker at Pioneer Elementary. I have worked at Pioneer for 21 years. I graduated from Bemidji State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Social Work. I am licensed by the Minnesota Board of Social Work and the Department of Education. Prior to coming to Pioneer I worked for Tri- County Cap out of Walker and for the Pillager Family Center.
I have been married to my husband Jody for almost 9 years. I have one son, Preston (16), who is a junior at Healy High School. My husband and I have also had the opportunity to help in the raising of Preston's three cousins for the last 5 1/2 years. Madison (21) graduated from Brainerd High School and is a Senior at Concordia University in Moorhead. Jaden (18) graduated from Brainerd High School and is a Freshman at Mankato State University, and Kayla (15) is a 9th grader at Brainerd High School.
When I am not at work I enjoy spending time with family and friends. I also like to shop till I drop, attend sporting activities, travel and spend time in the sun. It is an honor and privilege to work at Pioneer Elementary, I am grateful for all the friends and families that I met over the years.
I have been married to my husband Jody for almost 9 years. I have one son, Preston (16), who is a junior at Healy High School. My husband and I have also had the opportunity to help in the raising of Preston's three cousins for the last 5 1/2 years. Madison (21) graduated from Brainerd High School and is a Senior at Concordia University in Moorhead. Jaden (18) graduated from Brainerd High School and is a Freshman at Mankato State University, and Kayla (15) is a 9th grader at Brainerd High School.
When I am not at work I enjoy spending time with family and friends. I also like to shop till I drop, attend sporting activities, travel and spend time in the sun. It is an honor and privilege to work at Pioneer Elementary, I am grateful for all the friends and families that I met over the years.
FROM PIONEER ELEMENTARY PRINCIPAL, TOM OTTE: "Michelle is one-of-a-kind! She has the unique ability to remember every single person she ever meets, connect with them, build their trust, and find a way to help them with any sort of dilemma they might have. She knows all families in our school and has supported many, many families with personal needs. It is a weekly occurrence to see a parent in our office waiting to see Michelle for advice and support, sometimes related to their child's school experience, often times related to personal situations. Michelle is also one of our go-to people for staff to discuss student concerns. She can listen to the facts of a situation and problem solve the behavioral, emotional, social, and academic needs of any child. Additionally, Michelle does all the work for our weekend food backpack program and is one of two staff who spend many days of work on our exceptionally successful annual Toy Drive. It is almost impossible to even imagine Pioneer Elementary School without Michelle Ferguson."