Michelle Jacobs

Orenda Sylvan Lake, Founder

Michelle Jacobs is a teacher and facilitator at Orenda, bringing her passion for education and community-building to workshops, retreats, and sessions in Sylvan Lake.

With 15 years of experience as an elementary school teacher and a Bachelor of Education earned by the age of 21, Michelle has dedicated her career to empowering young minds. She is also certified with a 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training and a 25-hour introductory kids' yoga teacher training, blending mindfulness and movement into her work.

Completing the Orenda Teacher Training program was a significant milestone for Michelle, allowing her to align her expertise in curriculum development and her compassion for others with Orenda’s mission.

Known for her patience, growth mindset, and authenticity, Michelle creates safe and supportive environments where participants feel seen and understood. She believes that opening up about struggles fosters a sense of community, reminding us all that we are not alone.

Outside of Orenda, Michelle spends her time immersed in nature with her family, enjoying activities like camping, paddle boarding, hiking, and bike riding. In the winter, you’ll find her at the rink cheering on her two young sons as they play hockey. Described by her peers as dedicated and compassionate, Michelle leads with her heart, trusting her intuition to guide her in creating meaningful connections and experiences.

Her long-term aspiration is to make Orenda her next career, where she can contribute to a future where youth and families have the tools and skills to prioritize mental health and self-care from an early age. Inspired by her own transformative experiences, Michelle believes in the power of reflection to drive individual and collective growth, creating stronger, more resilient communities.

Four Things You Might Not Know About Me

What qualities do you appreciate in people?

Honesty, Kindness, Humour
What’s your favourite season?

I love everything about summer- the sun, heat, beach, water flowing, trees in bloom.
Share a memorable travel experience that has stayed with you.

My first time travelling to Hawaii was my grandparents last trip. As immigrants that escaped their home country, my grandpa and his family grew their life from nothing in a brand new country. It has helped shaped my belief that you can create a life you want despite the odds. My grandparents were snowbirds travelling to Hawaii every year. I will be forever grateful of this time in Hawaii that I got to share with them at one of their favourite places on Earth.
Describe a random act of kindness you’ve given or received recently.

A kind act between strangers: I was out for breakfast with my family one morning, an elderly couple stopped by to say that it looked like we were lovely family, with well-behaved children and that they loved to see a family out enjoying a meal together. They bought our breakfast that morning.