Golden Sunrise: Discovering Purpose Through Tragedy
The Final Chapter of Healing, Resilience, and Purpose After Three Preterm Pregnancies
by
Book Cover & Preview Text
My sons me to inspire others. Actor, "The Rock", moves with fearless motivation to "use the hard times in the past to motivate me today". I have spent my entire educational journey advocating for the undeserved, who are striving to succeed and thriving to survive in this world. Being insistent, consistent and persistent to disrupt the discourse and counter the narrative for my sons and those like them, who have been incorrectly labeled was the only option. Change mindsets from menaces to society, unable to succeed and destined to fail, to scholars, geniuses and bound for greatness. We share their story as instruments of inspiration!
Formats
Book Details
About the Book
You are still becoming great! Scholars who strived, thrived, and succeeded through healing, resilience, and purpose is a heartfelt sequel rooted in motherhood, faith, education, mental wellness, and the power of perseverance. Through the lives of her sons, Israel “Izzy” and Darian, the author honors misunderstood African American scholars whose greatness was not always recognized but never stopped unfolding. Adopted at eight weeks old and four years old, Michelle Belnavis’ sons became living testimonies of resilience, healing, and purpose. Their journeys reveal that success is not only found in degrees, careers, awards, or accomplishments, but also in the courage to keep going, despite obstacles, struggles, and barriers. The strength to protect one’s mental wellness and the determination to rise when others doubted the possibility, define the journey to greatness. This sequel to Joy Will Come in the Morning: From Tragedy to Triumph speaks to parents, educators, young people, and anyone who has ever felt overlooked, underestimated, or misunderstood. It is a reminder that greatness can grow through struggle, healing can follow hardship, and purpose can rise from places of pain. More than a story of survival, this is a celebration of thriving, succeeding, and still becoming great.
About the Author
Michelle Belnavis retired in 2020 as a 40-year educator. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin, Madison with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education and a Master of Science degree in Curriculum and Instruction (1984 and 1989 respectively). She is the proud mother of her two sons, UW Richland and UW Whitewater college graduate, Darian and CPCC and UNCC College student Israel “Izzy”. She most recently served as a passionate professional development educator in cultural responsiveness for the Wisconsin RtI Center. Michelle’s past 40 years have been filled with a variety of teaching and learning experiences. She taught elementary school for 25 years, as a classroom teacher, reading recovery teacher and Title 1 Reading Teacher. She then joined the MMSD District Language Arts team as a Resource Teacher, bridging literacy and culturally relevant instruction. She was then named the Instructional Resource Teacher for Cultural Relevance in the Curriculum and Assessment Department, followed by positioning as the Instructional Resource Teacher Leader for Cultural Relevance in the MMSD Department of Diversity and Equity. Michelle has been recognized as an exceptional educational leader from the UW Madison People Program, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Madison Pentecostal Assembly, Social Justice Award, NBC Making a Difference Award, and Kizzy Award by the State of Wisconsin Citation by the Assembly.