Joshua L. Michael, Ph.D.
Executive Director
Joshua Michael, Ph.D., Executive Director of the Sherman Family Foundation, is a policy expert, educator, and civic leader in Baltimore specializing in improving outcomes for children through education programs.
Dr. Michael previously served as the Director of Baltimore School Partnerships with the UMBC Sherman Scholars Program where he cultivated a pipeline of STEM educators preparing to teach in Baltimore and oversaw several partnership programs with Baltimore City Public Schools. He enhanced the pre-service teacher support program to increase the number of graduates matriculating to urban schools in Baltimore. He designed school-based professional development for math teachers, UMBC's Reach Together Tutoring Program in math, and UMBC's Summer Math Program, all educational interventions resulting in improved outcomes for students. Dr. Michael began his career in Baltimore City Public Schools where he taught middle school math and served as an instructional leader for six years at two turnaround schools -- Booker T. Washington Middle School and Commodore John Rodgers Elementary/Middle School.
In 2023, Governor Moore appointed Dr. Michael to the Maryland State Board of Education where he serves as Vice President. Dr. Michael also serves as Board Chair for Cherry Hill Strong, Co-Chair of the Teach For America Baltimore Advisory Board, and Board Member for the Maryland Family Network.
Dr. Michael received his Ph.D. from the UMBC School of Public Policy. His research focuses on mathematics achievement and improving outcomes for struggling students. He holds a bachelor of arts degree from UMBC in political science and secondary education and a masters of science in school leadership from Johns Hopkins University.
