No matter how many individuals appear in the pages of each edition of Keys Weekly, there are always so many more of our community members who deserve to be recognized. In an effort to shine a spotlight on more of the incredible individuals who live and work in these islands, Keys Weekly is proud to present our Neighbor of the Week feature, dedicated to celebrating a community member with each issue.
Our neighbor of the week is Michelle Macoskey, who teaches marine science and freshman seminar while serving as the head cheer coach since 2022. She also works at the Turtle Hospital and acts with the Marathon Community Theatre. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her boyfriend and friends at the sandbar, singing, dancing and exploring the ocean. Self-described as a former mermaid or fish in a previous life, she is happiest whenever she is in or around the water.
How long have you been in the Keys and what brought you here?
I moved to the Keys in February of 2020, right before the COVID shutdown.
What is your favorite thing about living in the Keys?
My favorite thing about living in the Keys is our close-knit community. I love that everybody knows everyone and that people are always quick to support one another. Local businesses and families step up to sponsor sports teams, raise funds for good causes, or drop everything to help a neighbor in need.
What are some of the funniest questions one of your students has asked you?
Last year in marine science, a student asked me if mermaids would be considered a mammal or a fish. It ended up being a 15-minute heated debate between 25 juniors and seniors. About three times a week, I also get asked, “are we actually doing anything today?” At that point, I’m usually standing in front of the ClearTouch that has a PowerPoint pulled up from the day’s lesson.
What was in the last Amazon delivery that arrived at your door?
I ordered wigs for my role as Grace in MCT’s upcoming production of “Annie.”
If you had to give a TED Talk on a totally random topic, what would it be?
Because I am basically a Disney adult, I would say that this would be my topic: “Things Disney Never Explained, and I Have Decided to Make Them Everyone’s Problem.
What’s your go-to hype song to get the cheer squad pumped, and what’s your personal sad song?
We don’t really have a specific song that our squad uses to pump ourselves up. But during our warmups, we tend to turn on a Britney Spears or Michael Jackson playlist and everyone is singing along. For my personal sad song, I wanna switch it to an “in my feelings song” and that would be “My Little Girl” by Tim McGraw. I don’t know what it is about that song, but whenever I hear it on the radio or during daddy/ daughter dances at weddings, I bawl my eyes out. I can’t wait to eventually use it in my wedding!
What’s a talent you don’t put on your résumé because it sounds fake?
I can identify basically any Disney or Hamilton song just by the first few notes.
What is the most bizarre or surprising thing currently sitting on a shelf in your classroom or in your refrigerator?
This isn’t an item I keep at school, but my most prized marine science items are a massive horseshoe crab molt, a puffed up skeleton of a pufferfish and a dried out seahorse.
Would you rather always have to chant and cheer instead of speaking normally, or always have to do a full dance routine everywhere you walk?
I 100% would rather perform a full dance routine everywhere I walk. I absolutely LOVE to dance, so adding a little bit of flare and creativity to my walk would be super fun – and it might coordinate me more so I don’t trip on as many flat surfaces.
Besides the obvious beach weather, what’s a local Keys business or spot you genuinely couldn’t live without?
The Dolphin Research Center. For some reason, I could just sit and watch them for hours. No other entertainment necessary. It has just become my calm spot. And it’s only a 25 minute walk from my house. So it’s a perfect workout and calming activity.
The title of your autobiography would be…
“There’s No Such Thing As Free Time”
What’s one thing most people don’t know about you?
When I was in high school, my cheer team would be invited to be audience members on different TV shows like “Dane with the Stars,” “American Idol” and “So You Think You Can Dance.” It was a really cool experience to be able to watch how everything is run during a live recording. And I even got some moments of fame when the camera passed by where I was standing, no matter how brief it was.
Know someone that would be a good “Neighbor of the Week?”
Email keysweeklyjen@gmail.com.
