Education doctoral student builds project with purpose

Nov. 3, 2026 — DENTON — Michelle Price’s experience as an educator and student has taught her that sometimes the most important thing a teacher can do is help a child discover potential that they have yet to see in themselves.

Now, as a doctoral student at Texas Woman’s University, Price is turning that belief into action.

Price, a second-year doctoral student in the Literacy, Language and Culture program in the School of Education, developed a project called PurposeFULL as part of TWU’s Urban Education Micro-Credential. The project is designed to help students recognize their potential, understand their value to others, and build a stronger sense of belonging.

A $600 grant from the Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD Educational Foundation is helping Price implement PurposeFULL at Blair Elementary in Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD, where she is a Special Services teacher.

Aimée Myers, who leads the Urban Education Micro-Credential at TWU, said Price exemplifies goals of the program, which helps educators explore historical and cultural legacies of urban populations and build more equitable, responsive learning environments.

“Michelle was able to meet and surpass these goals,” Myers said. “While developing her action plan, she launched her ‘PurposeFULL’ project and secured funding for it.”

Price believes that purpose is not only about individual accomplishment, but also about what people can accomplish when they intentionally support one another.

“I want every child to feel seen, heard, accepted and valued,” Price said.

PurposeFULL began with three student ambassadors who helped build a community centered on kindness, empathy, responsibility and belonging. Price uses books by author Jory John to explore themes such as growth, second chances, self-care, belonging, forgiveness and connection.

Students read, reflect, write and create while putting lessons into practice. Through a mentoring component, students experiencing academic success also will have opportunities to work with developing readers, learning how to listen, encourage, model and grow together.

Price also plans to document students’ experiences through conversations, interviews, reflections and questionnaires as she explores whether a stronger sense of belonging is associated with engagement, confidence and literacy growth.

That combination of practice and inquiry reflects the connection between Price’s classroom experience and her studies at TWU.

Her doctoral work has challenged her to look beyond test scores and other measures of academic performance to consider experiences that shape how students learn.

“A number doesn’t tell me who that child is,” Price said. “It doesn’t tell me what happened before they arrived in my classroom, what they believe about themselves, or why they might be afraid to take a risk.”

Amy Burke, PhD, director of TWU’s doctoral program in Literacy, Language and Culture, sees that same commitment reflected in Price’s work.

“It’s clear that Michelle is motivated by a deep sense of responsibility to others. She wants her work to have social impact, both in the classroom and across larger systems,” Burke said. “This service-centered leadership is evidenced so beautifully in the PurposeFULL project.”

Price’s interest in that impact is personal.

Born in Panama, she moved to Dallas at age 10 and entered CFBISD as a student learning English with significant gaps in literacy. At the time, she did not see herself as academically capable or envision attending college.

Several CFBISD educators, however, saw potential in Price that she had not yet recognized in herself. She attributes their encouragement and mentorship for changing the trajectory of her life.

Decades later, Price is pursuing a doctorate and working to create similar opportunities for her students.

“I’m learning that advocacy doesn’t always have to be something enormous,” Price said. “Sometimes it begins with one conversation, one relationship, or one small project.”

Price hopes PurposeFULL will eventually reach students whose educational journeys may resemble her own.

“I want them to imagine themselves as high school graduates, college students, educators, leaders, and perhaps even doctoral students,” she said.

Page last updated 12:22 PM, November 3, 2026