Michael Watkins Bio
Michael Watkins was born and raised in Oakland, California. He received his B.A. in Psychology and teaching credentials in both History and Special 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 Corps in an inner city middle school before teaching for seven years in the Alameda County Office of Education’s court and alternative school system. Michael has over 38 years experience in education, 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 the Senior Director of the programs that serve at-risk youth, Michael was in the vanguard of change. When he accepted the position of Senior Director, there were only three alternative school 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 commitment to excellence. 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 well as a school 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.
Michael left the alternative education programs in 2006 to become Santa Cruz County Superintendent of Schools, the first African American in California to be elected to this office.
He is an active member of the California Association of African American School Administrators Association, an organization dedicated to closing the achievement gap for African American students.
Michael also serves on the Board of Directors of the California County Superintendents Education Association.
As county superintendent, Michael supported, developed, and implemented a number of innovative initiatives:
· A county wide blueprint for a high quality preschool program which includes a large migrant family population
· The Green Careers Program, offering high school students education and employment training in a green careers pathway
· A partnership between the County Office of Education Regional Occupational Program and the local community college to provide articulated Career Technical Education programs to high school and college students
· Michael initiated Project IMPACT, an intern certification program, in which aspiring local teachers obtain a teaching credential. Project IMPACT is focused on equity, improved teacher quality, and closing the achievement gap. It provides mentoring and coaching opportunities in hard-to-staff schools.
· Michael is an innovative and ardent advocate for arts in education and a board member of both the county Tannery Artists Association in Santa Cruz and the National Steinbeck Center in Monterey, California. He has worked with the Distinguished Artists from Cabrillo Community College and Shakespeare Santa Cruz to bring their talents in to schools.
· Michael expanded minority student participation in the sciences by reaching out to them to participate in the County Office of Education’s Science Fair. The Santa Cruz Science Fair has produced more top award winners in the state and international student science fairs than any other participating county.
· Real DUI Court in Schools, a program developed under Michael’s leadership, combines a real DUI sentencing hearing with judicial outreach and education models to emphasize to students the consequences of driving under the influence. TheReal DUI Court in Schools expands the highly respected County Teen Peer Court program, which provides an alternative to incarceration for first offender juveniles.
· Michael developed and leads the Inside Education Program, an innovative community partnership that heightens public awareness through a first-hand look at the public education system in Santa Cruz County. Community professional, business, and civic leaders participate in a series of workshops and site visits designed to educate participants about current issues affecting public education, highlight successful programs offered in the schools and the challenges of educating and preparing students for success in the 21st century. 2.
Michael has consistently given back to the community. He has coached youth baseball and basketball and sits on a number of local boards: Child Abuse Prevention Council, Youth Resource Bank, Workforce Investment Board, Court Appointed Special Advocates, School Attendance and Review Board, New Teacher Project Steering Committee, Children’s Network, United Way and more.
Both the Watsonville City Council and the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors have honored him for his outstanding achievements in education. SPIN, a support group for parents of children with special needs, the California Legislature and a U.S. Congressional Representative have also recognized his commitment and leadership.
Throughout his life, Michael has demonstrated the essential qualities of educational leadership – listening to different needs and perspectives; drawing on a wide variety of resources; creative planning, supporting, and sustaining needed programs; and building collaborative partnerships – with an unwavering a focus on assuring high quality education for all students.
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 the Senior Director of the programs that serve at-risk youth, Michael was in the vanguard of change. When he accepted the position of Senior Director, there were only three alternative school 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 commitment to excellence. 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 well as a school 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.
Michael left the alternative education programs in 2006 to become Santa Cruz County Superintendent of Schools, the first African American in California to be elected to this office.
He is an active member of the California Association of African American School Administrators Association, an organization dedicated to closing the achievement gap for African American students.
Michael also serves on the Board of Directors of the California County Superintendents Education Association.
As county superintendent, Michael supported, developed, and implemented a number of innovative initiatives:
· A county wide blueprint for a high quality preschool program which includes a large migrant family population
· The Green Careers Program, offering high school students education and employment training in a green careers pathway
· A partnership between the County Office of Education Regional Occupational Program and the local community college to provide articulated Career Technical Education programs to high school and college students
· Michael initiated Project IMPACT, an intern certification program, in which aspiring local teachers obtain a teaching credential. Project IMPACT is focused on equity, improved teacher quality, and closing the achievement gap. It provides mentoring and coaching opportunities in hard-to-staff schools.
· Michael is an innovative and ardent advocate for arts in education and a board member of both the county Tannery Artists Association in Santa Cruz and the National Steinbeck Center in Monterey, California. He has worked with the Distinguished Artists from Cabrillo Community College and Shakespeare Santa Cruz to bring their talents in to schools.
· Michael expanded minority student participation in the sciences by reaching out to them to participate in the County Office of Education’s Science Fair. The Santa Cruz Science Fair has produced more top award winners in the state and international student science fairs than any other participating county.
· Real DUI Court in Schools, a program developed under Michael’s leadership, combines a real DUI sentencing hearing with judicial outreach and education models to emphasize to students the consequences of driving under the influence. TheReal DUI Court in Schools expands the highly respected County Teen Peer Court program, which provides an alternative to incarceration for first offender juveniles.
· Michael developed and leads the Inside Education Program, an innovative community partnership that heightens public awareness through a first-hand look at the public education system in Santa Cruz County. Community professional, business, and civic leaders participate in a series of workshops and site visits designed to educate participants about current issues affecting public education, highlight successful programs offered in the schools and the challenges of educating and preparing students for success in the 21st century. 2.
Michael has consistently given back to the community. He has coached youth baseball and basketball and sits on a number of local boards: Child Abuse Prevention Council, Youth Resource Bank, Workforce Investment Board, Court Appointed Special Advocates, School Attendance and Review Board, New Teacher Project Steering Committee, Children’s Network, United Way and more.
Both the Watsonville City Council and the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors have honored him for his outstanding achievements in education. SPIN, a support group for parents of children with special needs, the California Legislature and a U.S. Congressional Representative have also recognized his commitment and leadership.
Throughout his life, Michael has demonstrated the essential qualities of educational leadership – listening to different needs and perspectives; drawing on a wide variety of resources; creative planning, supporting, and sustaining needed programs; and building collaborative partnerships – with an unwavering a focus on assuring high quality education for all students.