Mike is a Bay Area native who grew up in the town of San Carlos in San Mateo County.  He earned a BA in Psychology at California State University Hayward in 1992. He also earned his Multiple Subjects Credential at CSUH in 1996.

Before becoming a teacher, he worked in the fields of banking and head injury rehabilitation. He lived in the small country town of Kelseyville for two years, teaching kindergarten and fourth grade, before coming to Walnut Heights in 1999. He has also taught the 4/5 combination class and 5th grade.