Michelle Deane

About Michelle Deane

As a Senior Talent Manager at Kokua Education, I lead the strategic hiring and talent funnel for our substitute teaching network across ten cities. I have the privilege of working alongside a diverse, mission-driven team to recruit, develop, and retain high-quality educators committed to supporting students and school communities.My career began in the classroom, where I taught 7th and 8th grade English Language Arts in under-resourced communities in Phoenix. That experience grounds my perspective and fuels my ongoing commitment to equity and access in education.I’m passionate about building strong, sustainable systems that place excellent educators where they’re needed most, and I’m always eager to connect with others who are working toward the same goal.

Experience

1. Senior Talent Manager

   Kokua Education

   May 2025 — Present

   I lead talent strategy across the North region, driving full-cycle recruitment, onboarding, and retention to ensure schools are equipped with exceptional educators. My work focuses on aligning recruitment goals with organizational priorities, building scalable hiring processes, and fostering strong partnerships with both our educators and school leaders to meet staffing needs across ten U.S. cities. With expertise in multi-region team management, data-driven decision-making, and candidate experience, I ensure Kokua’s mission, providing students with the teachers they deserve, is met with consistency and excellence.

Education

• Westfield State University

  Bachelor's, English Language and Literature, General