Michael Stone is an experienced educator with a passion for teacher and leadership development. He currently serves as the Director of Innovative Learning for the Public Education Foundation in Chattanooga, TN, and is the Cofounder of devX PD, a national teacher and educational leadership professional development company. Blending his technology expertise with a passion and talent for effectively educating students and adults, he has become a national leader in instructional technology integration and professional development. In 2016, he concluded a one-year appointment as an Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellow at the National Science Foundation (NSF) in the Directorate for Computer and Information Science and Engineering (CISE) in Washington, DC. Michael currently leads the Volkswagen eLab project which brings advanced makerspaces (digital fabrication labs) to public schools across Southeast Tennessee.
After earning a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from Bryan College, Michael spent the early part of his career working in Information Technology. However, his passion for education pulled him back to the classroom in 2006 when he began teaching Physics and other sciences at a private, parochial school in Tennessee (Hamilton Heights Christian Academy). After receiving a Masters of Arts in Instructional Leadership in 2008, Michael moved to public school where he spent five years as an advanced mathematics and computer science teacher. In 2014, he became the Project Based Learning (PBL) Manager and Fabrication Laboratory (FabLab) Director at STEM School Chattanooga. He served in this role until moving his family to Washington DC where he worked to support NSF's efforts to broaden the scope of rigorous computer science education in the nation.
In his current role, he develops innovative professional development opportunities for teachers across the country. As a result of his impact, Michael has had the opportunity to present at unique venues throughout the United States, including speaking engagements and workshop presentations at the White House, NASA Headquarters, the National Science Foundation, the Boston Museum of Science, and a number of education conferences.
Michael has received numerous education awards, is a Vanderbilt University Research Experience for Teachers in Software Engineering participant, a Public Education Foundation of Chattanooga inaugural STEM Fellow, and has served as the webmaster, publications editor, and chairperson for the American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE) K-12 Division executive board since 2012. He published his first book, "Oh, That's Education?" in August, 2015, and coauthored his second book, "Let Me Try It!" in 2018.
Michael's passion for education and technological expertise are magnified daily through his interaction with a strong network of educators, policy makers, and stakeholders. He believes that educational leaders, teachers, and families play critical roles in student development, and that for students to be prepared to be productive citizens in the 21st century, they must develop the critical thinking, creativity, and collaborative skills necessary to be able to adapt and succeed in a rapidly changing world.