Michael Cormack

Michael Cormack Jr. is the Deputy Superintendent for Jackson Public Schools (JPS), overseeing academic programs and leading professional development for teachers, principals, and staff. He directs the district’s strategic plan, *The Power of People & Possibilities*, and supervises Teaching & Learning, Exceptional Education, School Support, and Athletics. His recent achievements include expanding universal prekindergarten access through a $25 million grant and improving the district’s accountability rating during the pandemic. Previously, Michael was CEO of the Barksdale Reading Institute, which helped Mississippi’s NAEP reading scores rise from 50th to the national average in 2019. He also served as principal of Quitman County Elementary School, where his leadership moved the school from “At Risk of Failing” to “Successful.” His work is featured in *Dispatches from Pluto* by Richard Grant. He has held teaching and leadership roles with Teach For America – Mississippi and is the voice of several Move to Learn education workout videos. Michael earned a bachelor’s in philosophy and political science from Boston College, master’s degrees in education from Delta State University and Teachers College, Columbia University, and a doctorate in Educational Leadership and Policy from Vanderbilt University.