After a single digit loss last year, Michelle Ouellette knew she would take another chance at being on the Marion School Committee.

“I enjoy being involved. I think it’s important to give back, and I think it’s important to do what you can with the talents you have,” said Ouellette, a single mom of two school-aged kids and a kindergarten teacher in Acushnet.

Ouellette ran unchallenged for a seat on the committee in 2011. During her three-year term she was part of the Southeastern Massachusetts Educational Collaborative, which supplements special education needs for area schools, and the Early Childhood Council, focusing on children five and under.

As an elementary school teacher for more than two decades, Ouellette says she is passionate about giving every child a chance to succeed through education.

“The education process should start early on,” she said. “All kids should have access to preschool.”

Ouellette said she was on the ground floor of Massachusetts’ Early Education for All Campaign that began in 1993 to, in part, promote educational opportunities for pre-school-aged children.

The campaign, along with her years as a teacher and parent, has only strengthened Ouellette’s desire to increase educational opportunities for kids. She said these experiences would be an asset if she were elected for a second term on the School Committee.

“I understand education. I understand the importance of reaching every student,” she said. “I can empathize with the teachers and their struggles.”

Maintaining the educational quality at Sippican School and keeping activities such as the music program going requires thinking creatively, especially with the budget, said Ouellette.

“I think I have the ability to look outside of the box,” she said. “I want to continue to look at the budget, look at ways we can get creative and keep us a top school.”