Co-Principals

Welcome, Odyssey Otters!

It is an honor to begin my 17th year at Odyssey Community School and my 11th year in school leadership. Over the years, I have proudly served this community as a sixth grade language arts teacher, a fourth grade teacher, Assistant Principal, and Co-Principal. My educational background includes a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and a Master of Arts in Teaching from Quinnipiac University, as well as a Sixth-Year Degree in Educational Leadership.

Beyond school, I enjoy spending time with my husband and our two children, who continually remind me of the importance of fostering curiosity, joy, and a lifelong love of learning.

Odyssey holds a deeply meaningful place in my life. I am fully committed to leading a learning environment where every student is known, valued, and celebrated. My work centers on ensuring high-quality academic experiences that are both challenging and developmentally appropriate; fostering a safe, inclusive, and supportive school culture; and empowering students to live our CIRCLE values both within and beyond our walls.

As a PreK–8 community, we understand the importance of strong partnerships with families. Your engagement, questions, insights, and advocacy strengthen the educational journey for all learners. I encourage you to reach out at any time; your voice is essential in shaping our students' success.

My name is Michelle Bashaw, and I am honored to serve as one of the co-principals here at Odyssey. Before joining this incredible community, I was a sixth-grade teacher, mathematics specialist, and lead teacher in Ellington Public Schools. My academic journey includes a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education (2012), a Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction (2013), and a Sixth-Year Diploma in Educational Administration (2022), all from the University of Connecticut.

At Odyssey, my goal is to build on our many strengths while fostering open communication and collaboration with students, families, community members, teachers, and staff. Together, we can identify areas for improvement and ensure that every student has equitable opportunities for success—a principle that has guided me throughout my career. I look forward to continuing this work with you all at Odyssey.