For Michael Michaels, the journey is just about complete.

After over 40 years in education, Michaels is retiring June 30.Michaels, who has been superintendent of the Northern Lehigh School District for the past nine years, has had a long and winding road in education.Starting outOddly enough, Michaels said education wasn't his first choice."I really wanted to become a speech therapist," said Michaels. He had a cousin with a hearing problem and wanted to be able to help him, as well as others.His career began in 1975, and has spanned all levels of education, such as special education teacher, elementary teacher, middle school teacher, high school teacher, assistant principal, principal, assistant superintendent and superintendent.His first job was teaching special education in a delinquent youth school in Pittsburgh.Michaels has also taught at the collegiate level at South Illinois University, as well as graduate classes at Wilkes University."What I loved about it was the students, really seeing them blossom and grow into successful young adults," he said.Northern LehighMichaels was hired as district superintendent in June 2008."It's been nine great years," he said. "We worked hard to make Northern Lehigh the gem of the Lehigh Valley."Michaels said he believes the district has had many accomplishments during his tenure, such as upgrading the curriculum; a plan to improve technology; the renovation of Slatington Elementary chief among them."I'm really proud of that, and we did all those things without raising taxes every year," he said. "Our citizens are great people, and we didn't want to overburden them with taxes."Michaels said he's pleased with what he sees when he visits classrooms throughout the district."I have a love fest with our teachers; I see great things going on with our kids," he said. "I'd be very pleased if my kids would have graduated from Northern Lehigh."Michaels said graduation night is always special seeing the students become successful, and hearing from them afterward, whether they became successful in the military, education, medical field, trades or in business, and thanking him for believing in them when they were students.Decision to retireMichaels, who lives in Lebanon, said his choice to retire was a "very, very difficult decision.""Life's short. I have my health," he said. "I want to get out there and enjoy my life while I still can."His wife is a retired educator, and they have two daughters and four grandchildren.Michaels said he plans to do a lot of volunteering for veterans, church and community, and teach emergency services classes.Michaels said whoever is selected to replace him as the district's new superintendent will inherit a district that's on solid footing."My successor is coming into a great situation," he said. "Great teachers, students, community, board of education; the sky is the limit."As he reflects on his career, Michaels said Northern Lehigh will always be very near and dear to his heart."Of all my jobs in my educational life, the two that ring so true for me are Northern Lehigh and Southern Illinois University," he said. "They were my two favorite places I was employed."Michaels said he's "very proud of Northern Lehigh," and "I would like to think this is my second home.""I'm going to miss that interaction with the kids," he said. "It's never been about me; it's always been about the students."