Knowledge & Experiences

Over 24 years in education in Alaska as a classroom teacher, principal, superintendent, and currently program manager of the Alaska Statewide Mentor Project.

Mike has experience and an understanding of:

• Budget development
• School finance
• Educational Program development
• Contract negotiation process
• Lobbying at the local, state and federal levels
• Securing and managing state & federal grants
• Working collaboratively with various entities and governmental agencies
• Teacher recruitment and retention
• The Alaska Department of Education
• The University of Alaska system

As Superintendent of the Northwest Arctic Borough School District:

Managed a $45 million operating budget. A $100 million capital projects budget.

Supervised over 200 employees.

Helped secure state & federal funding for teacher housing.

Secured millions of dollars of funding through lobbying at the borough, state and federal levels.

Fostered partnerships, with profit, non-profit, and governmental entities in the Northwest Arctic Borough.

Worked with borough, state, and federal officials

Developed programs to meet the needs of diverse student populations

In addition:
Administered the Mat-Su Correspondence/Homeschool Program

Currently oversees a statewide multi million-dollar teacher support project in partnership with the University of Alaska and Department of Education serving over 400 new teachers statewide.

Works with officials at the highest levels of the Department of Education and university system on educational issues.