Child Development Education: Our Values

I am honored to be part of launching Inspire Minds, a thoughtfully designed learning center dedicated to providing children with enriching, personalized academic support that fosters confidence, curiosity, and a genuine love of learning. Our goal is to promote not only academic growth through our academic success programs but also the social skills development that helps children truly thrive. With over 25 years of experience in education—including teaching 1st–3rd grade, preschool, and Pre-K at The Pegasus School—I bring a deep understanding of how children grow and learn at each stage. As the founder of Create and Learn Lab, my work is rooted in the belief that when children are nurtured, guided, and inspired, they build strong academic foundations along with confidence, creativity, and independence. I look forward to partnering with your family and supporting your child’s unique learning journey. My extensive background has allowed me to support a wide range of learners, helping each child feel capable, confident, and excited about their learning.

I am privileged to help lead and shape the vision of Inspire Minds, where we are redefining what personalized education can and should look like for every child. As a credentialed teacher with a Bilingual Authorization, I bring both strong academic training and hands-on experience, having worked closely with students and families over the past 2½ years through Create and Learn Lab under the mentorship of Cori Junker. This foundation has shaped my intentional, student-centered approach to learning. I believe every child deserves individualized academic support that meets them where they are and guides them toward their fullest potential. I design structured, engaging learning environments that support academic growth while building confidence, independence, and a genuine love of learning. Throughout my experience, I have had the privilege of working with a diverse range of families and learners, allowing me to connect meaningfully with each student and tailor instruction in a way that is both effective and enriching. I approach every partnership with professionalism, care, and deep respect for the trust families place in me. At Inspire Minds, our mission goes beyond academics; we are committed to developing confident, capable learners equipped with the skills and mindset for academic success programs and social skills development. Supporting your child’s growth in a meaningful and lasting way is both a privilege and a responsibility I value deeply.

Mrs. Michelle Lindfors taught all levels of English, including Advanced Placement, to middle and high school students in the Newport Mesa Unified School District for 39 years. Recently retired from full-time teaching, she now works as a University Supervisor, providing personalized academic support and mentoring student teachers for Chapman University and Concordia University. After graduating summa cum laude and as a Phi Beta Kappa from the University of Redlands with a B.A. in English and a minor in Communications, Michelle obtained her teaching credential at the University of California, Riverside. A few years into her teaching career, she graduated with honors from Chapman University with a master’s degree in education. Michelle has presented workshops at CATE (California Association of Teachers of English) conferences, the UCI Writing Project conference, a PAR (Peer Assistance and Review) conference, and the California League of Middle Schools. As a Fellow at the UCI Writing Project and a Teacher Leader for the California Literature Project, she has played a pivotal role in academic success programs. She has served as an Instructional Coach, Mentor Teacher, and Induction Mentor to over 30 new teachers, while also training more than 20 student teachers. Michelle is thrilled when her students not only read widely and write with vigor but also develop essential social skills, as she knows these are the keys to empowerment. Among her achievements, Michelle has received the following awards: Teacher of the Year (twice) and was an Orange County Teacher of the Year Finalist.