Michael the current President of the United Federation of Teachers. He was formerly the UFT's Vice President for career and technical education (CTE) high schools and the union's Chief Operating Officer. He began his education career at William E. Grady Career and Technical High School, where he taught for 15 years, ran a program for at-risk students for 12 years, and also served as chapter leader for six years.

His strong and effective leadership at Grady High School was built on a life already deeply committed to the union movement. Michael comes from a strong union family, and he pursued a career in construction as a member of the Carpenters Union before turning his passion for helping children into an educational career.

Michael embodies the UFT's core mission: to protect the quality of education provided to NYC public school students and to guard the livelihood and professional lives of the union's members. He is one of the union's most dedicated and effective advocates for school safety. As its officer liaison, Michael played a pivotal role in reorganizing the UFT Safety and Health Department to better enable it to confront the Department of Education's neglect of its school safety responsibilities. Michael has been the union's point person on budget battles, and this spring he spearheaded the UFT's pivotal leadership in the Keep the Promises Coalition's successful efforts to restore city and state budget cuts.

In addition to his many roles in the UFT, he is an AFT vice president and a member of the NYSUT Executive Board member. Michael has served on the State Education Department's Committee of Practitioners representing the UFT and he currently chairs the New York State United Teachers CTE Statewide Committee.