Beloved St. Francis public school teacher killed in crash with alleged drunk driver

 

ST. FRANCIS, Wis. (CBS 58) -- A much-loved St. Francis public school teacher's being remembered for the way she went above and beyond for her students. An alleged drunk driver is in custody and expected to face charges in the traffic crash that killed her.

If there was a volunteer opportunity, Michelle Engman was right there, saying, "I'll do it."  Her devotion to family and the community at large will be sorely missed.

A mother to two pre-teens and wife of 25 years, family was at the center of Michelle Engman's busy life.

"To have lost such a wonderful woman and mother and wife, especially so close to the holidays, it's just something that just pulls at your heart and just breaks it," said Leah Macans, Greenfield Youth Football and Cheer program.

Also important to the 48-year-old from Greenfield were the children she served as a teacher in the St. Francis Public School District.

"She made sure all of her students were seen, valued and supported, and I want all of our kids to know how much she really, truly loved them," said Dr. Deborah Kerr, superintendent.

Friday afternoon, Engman left work and was just a few minutes into her commute in this residential neighborhood. At Lipton and Van Norman, around 3 p.m., Cudahy police say a suspected drunk driver blew a stop sign and slammed into Engman's vehicle.

"I'm gonna miss Michelle's smile. Anytime I saw her she was just happy and smiling and excited to be helping," said Macans.

Leah Macans knew Engman through the Greenfield Youth Football and Cheer program. It's just another place Engman gave her time. They've started a meal train for a grieving family. There is also a GoFundMe page.

"So the majority of us on the board are moms and wives. So I think a lot of us are just so deeply saddened," said Macans.

Dr. Deborah Kerr says knowing how hard her staff would take the loss, her team sat groups of teachers down to tell them the sad news face to face.

"We didn't want them reading about this on social media or in an email," said Dr. Kerr.

Engman taught English as a second language throughout the district, but especially focusing on Willow Glen Primary School, and also some Spanish classes at Deer Creek Intermediate School. She also helped out at the high school.

"And sometimes these are the families for the first time ever going into our American school system, so she was just a great partner and advocate for them," said Dr. Kerr.

And as one final act of kindness, Engman was an organ donor. Her kidneys are now giving two people, and those who love them, an incredible gift this holiday season.