Our school community is deeply saddened by the loss of our dear friend and colleague, Mr. Michael. He was the soul of our hallways, bringing warmth, wisdom, and a tireless spirit to us all every single day. More than just a coworker, Mr. Michael was a mentor to our students and a pillar of the Glen Park School community. His presence will be missed more than words can say.

While Mr. Michael was the heartbeat of our school, his heart always belonged to his daughter, Valentina. At 23 years old, Valentina is currently navigating the demands of graduate school in Chicago, carrying the weight of her loss while striving to complete her degree. We want to ensure that financial stress does not stand in the way of her finishing her education or her dream of returning home to San Francisco.

This fund is a bridge to help Valentina complete her studies and successfully relocate back home. Ms. Susan and Ms. Shawn are starting this fund to ensure Valentina has the support she needs during this transition. Losing a parent is an unimaginable weight, and we hope to ease the financial burden of graduate school expenses and moving costs. Mr. Michael gave so much to our children and our community. Let’s come together to support Valentina as she honors his legacy through her education and her journey back home.

About the organizers: Ms. Susan and Ms. Shawn have been close friends and colleagues of Mr. Michael for many years. Our journey began at Harvey Milk Civil Rights Academy, where our children went to school alongside Valentina. Our professional bond grew as Mr. Michael worked with us in the after-school program there, and when we moved to Glen Park School, he came right along with us. Having watched Valentina grow up and having worked side-by-side with Mr. Michael for so long, we wanted to ensure his daughter feels the full embrace of the community that loved him.