Michelle Cardenas is a 2025-2026 Teach Plus Texas Early Childhood Educator Group Facilitator and dual language preK teacher at Hillcrest Elementary School in Del Valle, Texas. She participated in the Texas State Teacher Fellows program and has been teaching preK for more than 20 years. Michelle is a mentor, curriculum writer, and grade level leader. As her district’s Visiting International Teacher Ambassador, Michelle trains and supports international teachers. She was Teacher of the Year for Hillcrest Elementary School (2012) and a finalist for HEB Leadership Elementary School (2016). Michelle is a Regional President and Board of Director for the Texas State Teachers Association. She received a bachelor’s in interdisciplinary studies (EC-4 Bilingual Education) with a minor in Spanish and master’s in education from Texas State University.
