Michael Vea, Ed.L.D., is committed to the important work of upending the one-size-fits-all approach to education. He is thrilled to be returning to Transcend where he completed his doctoral residency in 2019-2020. Michael’s capstone, Teaching and Learning as Central to Transcend’s School Design Collaborative, positioned teaching and learning at the center of school (re)design. He argued that it is not only the understanding of both the instructional core and the Science of Learning and Development, but also their effective implementation through exercises such as instructional/learning rounds that ensures the well-being of a school environment.

Michael began his career in education in 2001 as a Teach For America 5th grade teacher in NYC. In 2005, he co-founded KIPP Infinity Middle School in Harlem, and went on to teach various subjects there for 14 years. Michael later worked as an education consultant at LitLife PD, supporting school districts in California, Missouri, and New York. Michael is dedicated to expanding educational opportunities for students in the Philippines. He has served as Co-Director of U.S. Strategy and Recruitment for Teach for the Philippines. He most recently concluded a four-year appointment as a Senior Director at the San Diego Unified School District. Michael is a recipient of the Kinder Award for Excellence in Teaching and the Sontag Prize in Urban Education.


Michael holds a Doctorate in Education Leadership from the Harvard Graduate School of Education, an M.S. in Teaching from Pace University, and a B.S. in Education and Social Policy from Northwestern University.

Continue Your Journey

Leaps for Equitable, 21st-Century Learning

Transcend’s Leaps for Equitable, 21st-Century Learning describes the key ways we believe the student experience must change so that schools can prepare all young people to thrive in and transform the world.

Learn More

Transform Learning with Community-Based Design

Community-based design is a collaborative and local process that brings together young people, educators, administrators, caregivers, and experts to redesign learning. It goes beyond traditional school improvement initiatives by involving the entire community in reshaping...

Learn More