This month’s National Renaissance Staffulty of the Month are Gail Ashburn and Danielle MacLeod from L’Anse Creuse High School in Harrison Township, MI. Nominator Alysia Samborsky wrote:
Gail and Danielle have brought the spirit of Renaissance to L’Anse Creuse High School over the past year and a half with unwavering dedication, passion, and belief in its mission. Through their hard work and commitment, they have tirelessly championed this framework, spreading its impact throughout Lancer Country. Their efforts have led to a significant improvement in school climate and culture, increased attendance, and a reduced referral rate. We watch our student leaders daily gain the confidence to be themselves and spread greatness throughout our hallways. It is a pure reflection of the leadership that Gail and Danielle display. As a dynamic duo, they have brought my vision of Renaissance to reality in Lancer Country. For these reasons, they truly deserve to be recognized together as the National Staffulty of the Month for February.
What do you teach? Are you involved with anything else at your school?
Danielle (D): My role at LCHS is School Counselor! I am one of the advisors of Ren Crew and I am also the Class Sponsor for the class of 2028 (Freshman).
Gail (G): I teach English and African American Literature. I teach our leadership and communication class, too. I am the co-advisor of our student council and our Renaissance Crew.
What is something you appreciate about your school’s culture?
D: I appreciate everyone being so open-minded to the change and craziness! Gail and I are always coming up with wild ideas and I feel like everyone is pretty supportive of them and us! I also appreciate our students with UP Cards. This was the first year we implemented UP Cards and we have been floored by their dedication to earn the leveled card they want and determination to get it. We were not anticipating so many students to be card holders and we are just so proud of them! Kids literally were hunting me down asking when they were being passed out and what level they earned. At the beginning of the year, we didn’t know if this would work and at that moment, I knew it did!
G: When I think about L’anse Creuse High School’s culture, the thing that I appreciate most is the students attitudes towards trying new things and learning. They are genuine in their desire to keep building on previous successes and really good at motivating each other.
What’s a favorite Renaissance moment for you?
D: I think my absolute favorite moment was attending my first JRGC. It was so awesome to be surrounded by such like-minded humans who had such a passion for making schools the best they can be. The energy was electric and I was in awe of the whole process!!! I left feeling so inspired and ready to implement everything we learned.
G: We do an All In Staffulty award that is voted on by the students monthly. In 2024, we had Staffulty members win and twice they couldn’t believe all the joy that the leadership students bring with the rewards. Seeing winners overwhelmed with excitement from being recognized by the students, made it all worth it over and over again.
How has Renaissance affected you personally?
D: It truly has reignited my passion for working with students. To be honest, there are times when being a School Counselor can feel heartbreaking. It is no secret that counseling comes with a lot of emotions and tough conversations. Working with our leadership students as well as students who earn our rewards has been such a positive switch for my mindset in and out of the counseling office. I am so appreciative of the opportunity to get to do both jobs!! My tagline has always been “I am just so excited to be here” and I truly feel that way every day!
G: Renaissance has affected me personally by giving my energy direction and helped me to focus on ways to build my students and school up. It has allowed me to share my philosophy with like-minded people and helped us to create positive results in our school.
What is something you are “All In” for inside or outside of school?
D: I am actually an LCHS alumni and I believe that LCHS deserves the best, and I am “All In” for making LCHS the best and restoring the school spirit that has always made it special to me! Outside of school, I am all in for my family—they are my foundation, my greatest joy, and my biggest motivation. It has been really fun to introduce my husband and daughters who are two years old and four years old to Lancer Country! AND I am all in for Taylor Swift- As a Swiftie, I can always find a relevant phrase or lyric from her songs!! 🙂 “No matter what happens in life, be good to people. Being good to people is a wonderful legacy to leave behind”-TS
G: I am “All In” for family both inside and outside of school. I try to make sure that my students know that I usually see them more often than my family and they are my family, too. I think that teaching students how to support each other, learn with each other, and grow together is the most important work.
What advice would you give to someone who is looking to build new habits?
D: My advice would be to ask for help when you need it. It can be so easy to burn out with all of the different events, challenges, and celebrations going on and you really can’t do it alone. I am so Type A that is it hard to let go of control but I try to remind myself it is healthy to let others take a turn! Also, don’t forget to do basic things like drink water, eat lunch, and go for a quick walk. It is so hard to remember to practice what I preach in the counseling office but I set reminder alarms to try my best to make sure I do the things my body needs to feel good and keep going!
G: Building healthy habits is a process; more of a marathon- not a sprint. I think you need to write it down or make a visual reminder. You should commit to a timeline for whatever healthy habits you want to build. I am a checklist person and a creature of habit. If I do the same things, then I don’t usually forget them and the structure builds consistency for me. I would remember to start slow, you can’t change everything overnight, but slowly incorporate healthy habits into each part of my day. For example, for New Year’s this year I began a morning meditation session. It was weird at first adding these seven minutes into my daily routine. I felt like I was behind, was it worth it, maybe I should switch it; it was uncomfortable and I doubted myself. However, now only after a month, I would never miss that time to meditate. It helps me to start the day in a more focused manner and continue my day ready to take on challenges. The point is I am not stopping here, but will move forward with the next healthy habit I want to build which is writing before bed. I suspect this one will be more challenging, but I know that if I have a visual reminder and a checklist then I will be off to a better start.
Gail and Danielle will each receive a coffee tumbler and a lapel pin in recognition of their achievements.