Michael's Biography

Michael

Michael Watkins was born and raised in Oakland, California. He received his BA in Psychology and teaching credentials in both History and Education from California State University, Hayward. He also earned a Master's Degree in School Administration from Cal State Hayward. Michael began his teaching career in 1971 while participating in the federally funded Teacher Corps Program. He taught for two years as an intern with Teacher's Corps in an inner city middle school before teaching for seven years in the Alameda County Office of Education's court and alternative school sysytem. Michael has over 38 years of experience, 30 with county offices of education, working with students at-risk and with special needs.

In 1980, after accepting the position of Learning Handicapped Program Specialist with the Santa Cruz County Office of Education, Michael, his wife and two children moved to Aptos, California. He held that position for one year and then accepted the position of General Administrator In Charge of the Special Education programs for the county. As the Administrator in charge of Special Education, Michael was in the forefront of creating mainstreaming opportunities and community-based vocational programs for students with special needs. His tireless advocacy on behalf of these students led to many innovative programs still in place today.

In 1989, Michael became the Director of Alternative Education at the Santa Cruz County Office of Education. As Senior Director of the programs that serve at-risk youth, Michael was in the vanguard of change. When he accepted the position of Senior Diretor, there were only three alternative education programs in Santa Cruz County.Under Michael's leadership the program has grown to over twenty. This alternative school program has received statewide recognition for its committment to excelence. Michael developed community partnerships to support student achievement by reducing student drug dependency, gang participation, drop-outs, and truancy.He also developed single gender academies, career technical education programs as when as schools for pregnant teens and teen mothers; furthermore, in an effort to ensure success, he secured millions of dollars in grant funding to provide the needed wraparound services for these schools. The Western Association of Schools and Colleges has consistently awarded the Alternative Education Schools a six year accreditation. (the highest that they can award). In addition, the department received the highest employee satisfaction rating of any at the county office under his direction. In 2000, Michael was elected President of the California Juvenile Court, Community and Alternative School Administrators of California. As testament to his vision and leadership, these schools continue to provide high quality alternative opportunities to students throughout Santa Cruz County.

In 2006, Michael left the alternative education programs to become the Santa Cruz County Superintendent of Schools, the first African-American in California to be elected as a County Office of Education Superintendent. He is an active member of the California Association of African American Shool Administrators and also serves on the Board of Directors of the California County Superintendent's Education Association.