Music, movement and storytelling: Michelle Stackpoole’s creative approach to librarianship

What do Elton John, a 1980s jazzercize instructor, a minion and Taylor Swift have in common? They're all characters Wayne State University School of Information Sciences alumna Michelle Stackpoole has played as she brings music, theater and dance into the library to inspire a love of reading for kids in Grosse Pointe Schools.

As the school librarian and media specialist at Monteith Elementary School, Stackpoole brings together more than two decades of experience as an educator, along with her 2020 School Library Media Endorsement Certificate from the School of Information Sciences. While Monteith is her primary location, she also works across the district in other elementary buildings and rotates with fellow librarians at Brownell Middle School, sharing resources and supporting student learning in multiple settings.

That work draws heavily on her background in the arts. Stackpoole has worked as a professional actress and singer, including commercial and voiceover work, and has directed and choreographed numerous local school productions, with credits including SpongeBob SquarePants: The Musical, Mama Mia and this summer's The Addams Family. Those experiences continue to influence how she approaches the library, bringing performance, creativity and storytelling into how she connects with students.

"I couldn't be happier here in the library because I get to be so creative," Stackpoole said. "I have so much flexibility with what I teach and how I teach it, so I've been able to bring the things I love into the library."

Whether it's exploring Motown artists for Black History Month with a choreographed dance to "Get Ready" by The Temptations or turning a lesson about myths into a performance of Aesop's Fables, Stackpoole knows how to get students into character and actively engaged in learning.

Stackpoole is also helping to dispel the myth of the library as a quiet place where the librarian's only job is to sit behind a desk and recommend books. While she's always happy to provide a recommendation, Stackpoole has found that her approach helps students tackle a range of skills that will help them as they progress through grade school and beyond.

"We sing and we dance every day. It's not your quiet library-that's not what it is anymore," said Stackpoole. "I can touch on everything in here. If there's something students aren't getting in the classroom, we can build it into what we're doing in the library."

That creativity often extends beyond the classroom and into school-wide events. When asked to emcee a fundraising assembly, Stackpoole created "Rosie the Runner," a recurring character she brings to life each year with themed costumes, music and choreography to get students excited and involved. She takes a similar approach to March Is Reading Month, leading themed spirit days and culminating in "Readers are Rock Stars Day," where students and staff dress as musicians and take part in a school-wide rock star parade.

"Starting that at an early age, it's so important to get the students to feel comfortable speaking in front of people," Stackpoole said. "And as curriculum changes in the classroom, we're able to collaborate with teachers to support special projects and to help develop students' research skills."

Sometimes, the impact of that work shows up in unexpected ways years later. Nearly 20 years after working with him as a student, Stackpoole now counts Adam Pecar, a fellow Wayne State University School of Information Sciences alumnus and DREAM Lab librarian for the Grosse Pointe Public Library, as a colleague.

The two reconnected a few years ago through a project promoting the Grosse Pointe Public Library's summer reading program, which is part of the partnership between the Grosse Pointe Schools libraries and the public library system. Now in its third year, Stackpoole has also collaborated with the middle school's broadcasting class, where students create one-minute storyboards for a commercial promoting the program. The selected concept is then produced and filmed. Pecar was among the librarians who helped choose the winning storyboard and worked alongside Stackpoole to bring the project to life.

"Michelle has always been so approachable - always available to talk about things and interested in hearing what students think about life and the arts," Pecar said. "It's just so energizing to work with someone like her who has that drive - it just energizes you and makes you want to be a part of whatever she's a part of." Pecar credits Stackpoole with helping spark his early interest in film and storytelling, an influence that continues to shape how he approaches his work today.

Stackpoole has also seen her library training influence her work in the arts. While directing a summer production of Into the Woods, she found herself drawing on research-based strategies to help students better understand their roles. Instead of relying solely on imagination, students explored the origins and evolution of familiar fairy tale characters.

"We looked into where characters like Little Red Riding Hood came from and how those stories developed," Stackpoole said. "It gave students a deeper understanding of their characters and helped them bring more depth to their performances."

From rock star parades to research-driven performances, Stackpoole continues to show students that learning doesn't have to fit a single mold. Instead, it can be creative, collaborative and, above all, something they can see themselves in.