Dr. Michael Johnson
Dr. Michael Johnson is the Commissioner of Education & Early Development of Alaska. Dr. Johnson began his tenure as Alaska education commissioner in July 2016. Prior to that, he served in the Copper River School District as superintendent; school principal; district curriculum and staff development director; elementary teacher; and special education program assistant.
When asked about his “one big dream” for education, Dr. Johnson said, “that every single student can read proficiently by the end of third grade.” While not his entire dream, it is a key piece of ensuring the students in Alaska are on the pathway to success. Dr. Johnson wants to support the whole child and cited research of literacy being a key piece to a fulfilling and productive life. His dream is that “every student that enters the public education system in Alaska has the opportunity and reaches that goal of reading proficiently by the end of third grade.”