The Harvard Community Unit School District 50 Board of Education has appointed Michelle Bezares as the next principal of Richard D. Crosby Elementary School. Bezares, who has spent 15 of her 19 years with the district at Crosby, will assume the role July 1, 2026.
The appointment reflects a natural progression for an educator who has quietly shaped the culture of Crosby from the classroom outward. Bezares has served in a variety of roles at the school: first grade teacher, K–5 math vertical lead, first grade team lead and, most recently, student support facilitator, building strong relationships with staff, students and families along the way.
"When you invest in people, they invest back, and Michelle Bezares is an example of what that looks like over time,” said Superintendent Dr. Brandon C. White. “Promoting talented educators from within sends an important message that Harvard CUSD 50 is a place where dedication is recognized and celebrated. Michelle represents exactly the kind of leader we want guiding our students, and we are proud she has chosen to build her career here."
In her current role as student support facilitator, Bezares led several initiatives that improved both student outcomes and community connections at Crosby. She guided the schoolwide implementation of the CHAMPS behavioral framework, collaborating with staff to establish consistent expectations and more proactive learning environments. She also deepened early family partnerships by presenting to prospective kindergarten families at Harvard Head Start, helping them understand school expectations and how to navigate the enrollment process. And as the lead organizer of last year's Harvard Family Fun Night at Crosby, she coordinated staff and resources to create an event that brought the school community together in a meaningful way.
Before stepping into the support facilitator role, Bezares served as a first grade teacher, where she focused on helping students build foundational skills in math and literacy while building relationships with families. As K–5 math vertical lead, she worked with grade-level teams to align instruction, analyze data and share best practices across the building. As first grade team lead, she facilitated collaboration, coordinated planning and mentored colleagues to strengthen teaching and learning.
Bezares holds a bachelor of arts in liberal studies with a specialization in literature and writing from California State University San Marcos, along with a multiple subject credential with CLAD. She earned an ESL endorsement from George Williams College of Aurora University and a master of arts with LBS1 from Concordia University Chicago. She also holds an alternative principal endorsement from Aurora University. She brings 25 years of experience in education to this new chapter.
For Bezares, the appointment marks a professional and personal milestone.
"I am most excited about becoming the principal of Crosby Elementary because it gives me the opportunity to lead a school community that values growth, collaboration and student success — and to do so in a place I have proudly been a part of for the past 15 years," Bezares said. "I look forward to continuing to work alongside the amazing teachers, staff, students and families I know so well, building on our strong foundation and working together to create innovative learning experiences that prepare our students for lifelong success."