Special Guest, Michael Berry

Michael Berry is the Team Leader for Comprehensive Literacy State Development (CLSD), the largest literacy program in the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education at the US Department of Education. In his capacity, he provides leadership of the $200 million grant program, as well as the CLSD Literacy Center. Michael – a lifelong educator who has dedicated his life to meeting the needs of public schoolchildren -- has taught students of all ages, from elementary students to adult learners. Michael has served in school district leadership roles as a principal as well as a central office administrator. Working in higher education, Michael served at Pepperdine’s Graduate School of Education, where he led strategic initiatives and developed professional partnerships with the second largest school district in the national, the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD). A native Californian with deep literacy roots, Michael served as a curriculum specialist at the California Technical Assistance Center for Reading First in Sacramento. In this role, Michael mentored principals and led literacy professional development for teachers in LAUSD. Leaving California for Texas, Michael spent a decade in educational leadership roles at the Texas Capitol and Texas Education Agency. As Deputy Commissioner of Education, Michael led half of the agency, including educator development and certification; the Texas State Board for Educator Certification; assessment and accountability; curriculum standards; instructional materials; and charter schools. Michael attended the University of Southern California and Pepperdine University, earning his undergraduate degree in political science. While teaching and leading schools in Central California, Michael earned his M.A. in educational leadership and administration from California State University. While serving in leadership roles in Texas, Michael was a student in the Ph.D. program in educational policy and planning at the University of Texas at Austin. Michael is the proud of father of two children. He resides in Washington, DC.