She Never Stopped Showing Up

Publish Date: June 30, 2026

Michelle Blomquist has shown up for students for well over three decades. Her own educational journey began at Crafton Hills College.

Blomquist attended Crafton from 1987 to 1989, focusing on mathematics while completing the general education coursework she needed to transfer to a four-year university. She went on to earn her degree from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, but she has never forgotten where she started. "Crafton provided an invaluable starting point in my educational and professional journey. It paved the road to the opportunities I experienced thereafter."

There is one particular memory of her time at Crafton that stands out. "Señor Gonzales made learning a second language fun. He truly cared for his students. "The type of positive influence he displayed during her Spanish classes has stayed with her, and she has attempted to replicate this influence during her educational career.

Following graduation, Blomquist became a substitute teacher in Redlands. Later, she received a call offering her a full-time teaching contract for a fifth-sixth combination class at Crafton Elementary School. She remained at Crafton Elementary for 14 years before helping to open Judson and Brown Elementary Schools in 2006. At Judson and Brown, she taught first grade for 11 years. At some point, Michelle decided to pursue a goal she had long considered.

"My original intention was to become a High School Guidance Counselor to assist students in determining their future plans by assisting them in selecting colleges and trade schools and/or applying for jobs," she said. "However, I did not know when that opportunity would present itself, or if working in high school was the correct fit for me." When Redlands Unified School District identified a need for elementary school counselors, the timing seemed appropriate for Michelle. 

"The experiences gained through 12 years of teaching in an elementary classroom created the foundation for my counseling role. This was a logical transition point in my career to take the risk; it has been incredibly rewarding, and I appreciate the opportunity."

She was part of the first group of elementary school counselors in the district, and the work has reinforced everything she believed about why kindness has to be at the center of education.

"Some students are more challenging than others to teach, but they also may be dealing with more trauma or other situations that we are unaware of," she said. "But that doesn't mean we give up on them. It means we work harder to help them. Kindness toward every student is vital. There is no way to really know or understand what may be happening in their lives."

Over the years, Blomquist has been honored as both Teacher of the Year and Counselor of the Year. She is grateful for both, but clear-eyed about what the work is actually for. "It is always an honor to be recognized for doing the job that I love," she said. "It also reassured me that I was still making a difference in students' and families' lives. But teachers and counselors do not work for awards. We work to make the students' academic and often, life journey a success."

What keeps her going are the moments that remind her why she started. "Seeing students excited about learning and knowing that I have helped a student learn to solve problems on their own makes me feel proud," she said. "That is what educators get to do. We prepare our students to be independent problem solvers. I love meeting students after they have graduated, and they let me know the impact I had on their lives."

Her connection to Crafton has grown stronger over time, not weaker. Many of her own former students have gone on to attend the college, and watching that happen has meant a great deal to her. "Seeing how it has grown and seeing many of my students graduate from Crafton really makes me proud," she said. "I am so proud that this area has a college as fantastic as Crafton Hills College."

For students who are considering a career in education or student services, Blomquist’s advice is direct: "Dream big and don't give up. You might find a different path to where you are headed, but you can't reach your ultimate destination without taking that first step."

It is the same philosophy she has carried since her own first step at Crafton Hills College.