Michael joined the LANL Foundation in 2019 as Education Enrichment Director. In that role, Michael manages the operations and growth of K–12 programming at the LANL Foundation. He is responsible for overseeing the direction of the Inquiry Science Education Consortium (ISEC) program, which currently provides science kits to classrooms throughout districts in Northern New Mexico, as well as various other programs that support educators, such as the Foundation’s National Board Certified Teacher (NBCT) program, Social Emotional Learning, and STEM opportunities.
After working as a journalist and community organizer, Michael has been in education for a decade as a teacher and as a school founder and leader. Most recently, he worked with Santa Clara Pueblo to determine a community vision for education and open Kha’p’o Community School. Michael believes that communities should have a voice in education programs and expected outcomes for children. He values interactive learning opportunities that focus on student critical thinking and problem solving.
After working as a journalist and community organizer, Michael became a 7th and 8th grade teacher on the Navajo Nation. He has been in education for more than a decade as a teacher and as a school founder and leader. Michael believes that communities are vital to holistic, culturally sustaining educational opportunities for children. He values interactive learning opportunities that focus on student critical thinking and problem solving.
Michael also serves on the Board of Directors of El Rancho de las Golondrinas, where he sits on the Education and Collections Committees, and represents the LANL Foundation on the board of the Nationally Board Certified Teacher of New Mexico Network. Michael holds a master’s degree in Education Policy and Management from the Harvard University Graduate School of Education, where he focused on language revitalization opportunities for Native communities in New Mexico. He also holds a master’s degree in Education Administration from the University of Houston and received his BA in Journalism from the University of Maine.
Michael was born in Maine, the youngest of six, and has 14 nieces and nephews. He enjoys watching sci-fi, hiking, and snowshoeing with his wife Amber, stepson Max, and two dogs, Athena and Wally, in the beautiful mountains of New Mexico.