Dr Michaels has lectured in Creative Writing and English Secondary Method at the University of Newcastle and co-ordinated the Higher School Certificate English Study Day program. She was a former English Inspector at the Board of Studies and her PhD examined the constitution of the subject English in the New South Wales syllabuses. She has written poetry, drama and works for children.
In 2004 Michaels received the New South Wales Minister for Education's Quality Teaching Award and the award of Life Membership of the Educational Drama Association.
