Michael works with the education policy community to support New Classrooms’ mission and the broader movement around new learning models that enable personalized instruction. Prior to joining New Classrooms, Michael was the Chief Academic Officer and Associate Secretary of Education for the State of Delaware. Michael had direct responsibility for Delaware’s College and Career Readiness agenda, touching the lives of all students from Delaware’s earliest learners through the state college and university system. Under his leadership, Delaware achieved its highest graduation rates ever and ensured that all college-ready seniors applied for and enrolled in a postsecondary institution. Michael has worked to close historic achievement gaps in a variety of roles, from a district leader and school principal to a teacher-mentor and social studies teacher. In 2005, Michael was awarded the ET3 TEC Championship Leadership award by the US Congressional Black Caucus for his work in American education. He lives in Wilmington, DE with his family.