Michael is the 2017-18 Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year and was a Top 10 Finalist for the 2016 Global Teacher Prize. As a STEM education, global collaboration, and technology integration expert, he has presented for teachers and educational media around the globe. In 2012 the White House and the National Science Foundation presented him the Presidential Award for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching. Michael works at the Wallenpaupack Area School District in a rural part of northeastern Pennsylvania as an elementary science teacher where he helps empower students to understand they can use their learning to change the world for the better.