Michelle Austin
- Director
- mlaustin@umn.edu
- Phone
- +1 612-625-5322
- Address
- Inst On Community Integration
Masonic Inst For The Developing Brain [map]
Room 2-315Q
2025 E River Pkwy
Minneapolis, MN 55414-3604
Michelle Austin, M.A., Ed.S., is the director of Check & Connect at the Institute on Community Integration (ICI), University of Minnesota. Mrs. Austin provides training across the country on implementing Check & Connect in schools and community-based organizations. She also provides follow-up training in the form of fidelity-of-implementation workshops for sites already implementing Check & Connect. As a national trainer, she partners with sites to assess their needs and to customize training to support their strategic plans.
Prior to working at the University, Mrs. Austin began her teaching career as an elementary teacher, specializing in technology in two Minnesota public school districts: Eastern Carver County Schools and Inver Grove Heights Schools. Most recently, she worked as a district coordinator and administrator for the Department of Learning in ISD 199 - Inver Grove Heights Schools. In this capacity, she pioneered ISD 199's first parent engagement program, adopted from the Parent Institute for Quality Education (PIQE), provided district-wide professional development for early childhood to high school staff, and coordinated the district's Gifted Magnet Program. Additionally, Mrs. Austin is trained in Cognitive Coaching® and has conducted observations and facilitated reflective conversations with educators to increase engagement and help all students achieve at high levels.
Mrs. Austin holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education K-6 from Augsburg University, a Master's degree in Teaching and Learning from Saint Mary's University, and a Specialist Degree in Educational Leadership & K-12 Administrative License from Minnesota State University - Mankato.
