Michael has spent his whole career working in all levels of education, from elementary school to academia. He holds a PhD in Educational Policy Studies: Social Foundations of Education and his work is based in the theories of education and systematic change of John Dewey, Paulo Freire, Frantz Fanon, and Antonio Gramsci.

Currently, Michael is an assistant professor of elementary education and his research interest lies in identity, examining the intersections of race and sexuality, and examining how an educator’s identity and situatedness informs what they in/exclude from their instruction. Additionally, he serves as co-chair of the Queer Special Interest Group within the American Educational Research Association.

What attracted Michael to RE·Center was the mission and passion of the organization and its members in helping to effect change in schools by addressing, tackling, and promoting racial equity within and throughout the educational system.

As one who identifies as a critical theorist, Michael is not blind to the racial project in the United States, a racial project that affects all aspects of society, often ignored by those with socially-constructed racial capital. Being an educator his whole life, he has seen the racialized system in education and has worked to dismantle institutionalized and systemic racism within the United States. He knows the work RE·Center is engaged in is very important for social change and equity within society.

In his free time, Michael loves to travel with his partner, Aaron, and friends, as well as reading and being outdoors—running and biking to clear his head. As someone who is critical of society and education, this criticality comes because Michael knows if one is not critical one stays the course, but through this criticality change can come for all.