Since 2006, Michelle Liebhardt has been part of Inflexion’s mission to empower schools in preparing students for lifelong learning and success beyond graduation. Working with talented teams across the organization — and now with the Portico team — Michelle helps turn research, tools, and resources into actionable support that educators, schools, and students can access and apply to create real, lasting impact.
Michelle brings a distinctive perspective to this work, shaped by her own nontraditional educational journey. Homeschooled and raised in the dynamic learning environment of a children’s museum, she experienced firsthand the power of curiosity-driven, hands-on learning. That foundation fuels her belief that education should be engaging, joyful, and rooted in authentic experiences.
Throughout her career — from teaching in elementary classrooms to conducting research to developing technology for schools — Michelle has stayed committed to one goal: helping educators spark the same sense of wonder and ownership in their students that she experienced growing up. She knows that when students are given the freedom to follow their curiosity, they don’t just succeed — they find joy in lifelong learning.