The Okeechobee community is known for its generosity, especially when one of its citizens faces trials or tribulations.
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OKEECHOBEE — The Okeechobee community is known for its generosity, especially when one of its citizens faces trials or tribulations. Sheriff Noel Stephen, Under Sheriff Michael Hazellief and Fire Chief Justin Hazellief are renowned for their willingness and ability to jump in and fire up their grills to whip up a benefit meal any time they are asked. Commissioner Frank DeCarlo donates his time and energy to benefit orphans, veterans and others in the community. These are just a few of the more well-known examples of the goodness that can be found in Okeechobee. Behind the scenes are many individuals who work tirelessly to help those in need.
Each year, all around the country, communities celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week during the first week of May, and Okeechobee teachers are honored by students, parents and members of the community. This year, an Okeechobee teacher, Michelle Lapointe, made it her mission to ensure that her fellow teachers had a week they would never forget.
Lapointe is a fourth-grade teacher at South Elementary School, who has been secretly planning and organizing this special time for the teachers. She explained she did this to thank them for their own generosity. Lapointe experienced firsthand the kindness of the educators in Okeechobee when she was involved in a very serious car accident on State Road 70 while driving to work. The accident left her out of work for six months — two spent in the trauma and ICU units, two at home without the use of her legs and two more learning to walk again.
During her recovery, fellow teachers and school district employees donated months of sick leave so she could continue healing without losing her insurance or income while she was unable to work. “This was life-changing for me,” she said. “Within just the first two weeks in the hospital, my medical bills exceeded one million dollars, and that did not even include the emergency surgeries I underwent during that time.”
Because the donation of sick days is anonymous, Lapointe does not know who donated, but appreciates each and every day she was gifted. "I am where I am today because of the positivity that surrounded me during my darkest season in life, and that is a direct result of my family and coworkers' efforts. I want to try to impart that on others.," she said.
Not only did her fellow employees contribute financially, but her principal Lonnie Steiert helped Lapointe’s parents with both professional and personal responsibilities so they could focus on their daughter and her needs both in the hospital and at home. Steiert stayed by Lapointe’s side in the hospital while she was unresponsive and on life support until her parents could get flights from Massachusetts. She did not want Lapointe to be alone, even though she was apparently unaware of what was going on around her. In addition, the principal was there to meet Lapointe’s parents when they arrived and filled them in on what had happened prior to their arrival.
During her recovery, South Elementary organized teams to visit Lapointe regularly, bringing gifts, encouragement, and support during what she described as the darkest season of her life.
As much as she appreciated everything done for her during those six months, she said the donated sick leave was one of the most profound acts of kindness she had ever experienced. “It removed an enormous financial burden during a time when my only focus needed to be on surviving and healing. Experiencing that level of compassion changed my perspective forever.”
This year, Lapointe decided to use Teacher Appreciation Week as an opportunity to give back what she considers a very small piece of their kindness. Throughout the last year, Lapointe has reached out to businesses, friends, family members, school partners, and supporters across multiple states, asking for donations and support for our teachers. She was bowled over by the responses from so many; they were able to orchestrate lunches, drink bars, raffles, games, teacher gifts, and appreciation events throughout the week.
She explained some companies donated products and promotional items, and others contributed gift cards, food, and financial support. She said that each and every donation, no matter how large or small, helped to remind the teachers that people do notice the sacrifices they make.
“Teaching can often feel exhausting and overwhelming, especially during testing season, but this week created moments of joy and encouragement for our staff. Teachers were laughing, taking pictures together, participating in games, and simply feeling appreciated,” said Lapointe.
The following were the donors who helped make Teacher Appreciation Week special this year:
Sponsors
Jeff and Cheryl Lapointe (FL)
Blair and Katie Lapointe (MA)
Joe and Laurie Lapointe (NJ)
The Hughes Family (Okee)
S & G Family Venue (Okee)
DeMott Auction (Okee and GA)
Ms. Pat Kenney (Okee)
Boxer Bros Food Truck (Okee)
Christine Brennan Bishop (Okee)
Sutton Milk (Okee)
Many anonymous donors who donated through a honor system bake sale.
As thankful as Lapointe was for the generosity and kindness of her peers, you can only imagine how much her parents must have appreciated this. They (Jeff and Cheryl Lapointe) along with Ms. Pat Kenney helped serve lunches and make sure everything in the break room was stocked all week long.
Lapointe would like to thank each donor again and said she understood how often small businesses were asked to support worthy causes and understood when some of those who were asked had to turn her down. “Small businesses really don't have the wiggle room in their budgets to support every cause they are approached with like the big companies,” she said.
Lapointe, who was recognized as the 2023 Okeechobee County District Teacher of the Year and the 2023 Florida Department of Education Teacher Leader of the Year, plans to do it all over again next year and welcomes any help offered.
Next year, she would like to impact as many local schools as possible.
