MICHELLE COCHRAN
Winona resident since 2001
Thirty years of teaching experience in kindergarten through post-high school classrooms as an art teacher and reading specialist
A new face with fresh ideas for the WAPS Board
Michelle Cochran’s WAPS School Board campaign kickoff with the Winona YMCA Earlybirds!
My family
Monet Goode
Monet is a lifelong educator with a passion for creating accessible, engaging learning experiences. Known for a calm, encouraging teaching style, Monet believes that growth happens when learners feel both challenged and supported.
Emmett Marsh
Emmett is a detail-oriented instructor who’s spent the past decade helping people develop new tools, habits, and mindsets. Their approach is clear, practical, and always infused with curiosity and care.
Eleanor Parks
Eleanor's background spans education, coaching, and creative development. With a strong focus on process and progress, Eleanor helps learners move from where they are to where they want to be—one step at a time.
Why am I running for a seat on the WAPS Board? As the first person in my family to attend college, I experienced firsthand how education can afford opportunities that were unavailable to my parents.
I bring over 30 years of classroom teaching experience
\As a School Board candidate, I am listening, asking questions, and talking with parents, educators, administrators, and community members.
Important issues:
Equitably addressing the needs of a diverse student population, while working with limited resources necessitates thoughtful planning, collaborations, and responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars.
Maintaining safe schools requires ongoing communications and strong partnerships among schools, law enforcement, families, and the broader community.
My years of work as a reading specialist have confirmed for me that reading is fundamental to learning across disciplines: we need to strengthen students’ reading skills.
Michelle Cochran
michelle123.cochran@gmail.com, 507-429-6874
1523 Gilmore Valley Road, Winona, Minnesota 55987
website: michellecochranforschoolboard.org
I was born and raised in St. Paul Minnesota, and moved with my family to Winona in 2001, when my late husband, Phil Cochran, became a biology professor at St. Mary's University. I am the mother of five children, all now married and working in their chosen careers. In 2023 I remarried, and in 2026 I retired to volunteer with social organizations and to pursue botanical drawing.
Education:
1975: Graduate, Archbishop Brady High School, St. Paul, MN 1975-1977: Undergraduate student, St. Mary's University, Winona, MN. 1977-1986: I put my education on hold to raise five children.
1986: I attended St. Norbert College, while raising my family.
1993: Bachelor of Arts degree in Visual Art, St. Norbert College, DePere, WI.
1996: Bachelor of Arts degree in Art Education, with Certificate in Adaptive Education, St. Norbert College.
2005: Master of Education in Teaching and Learning, St. Mary's University of MN
2007: K-12 Reading Teacher Certificate, St. Mary's University of MN
2012: Master of Literacy Education, St. Mary's University of MN
2022: Adult English as a Secondary Language (ESL) Certificate, Hamline Univ., St. Paul, MN
Employment:
1998-2001: Art specialist, DePere High School, DePere Wisconsin
2001-2009: Adjunct Instructor, Art, St. Mary's University of MN
2007-2009: Art specialist, Dover Eyota Elementary school (half-time)
2009-2026: Reading Specialist, Rochester Community and Technical College, MN
Community involvement:
2003-Present: Volunteer, Winona Catholic Worker
2017-Present: The Prairie Enthusiasts Minnesota Driftless Chapter. I have served two 2-year terms as secretary.
2020-Present: Winona Arts Center: Art Instructor. Board Member 2020-2023.