Contact/About

Contact Info:

MJTroeger1@Gmail.com; Twitter: @TroegerDr

About:

Michael Troeger is a lifelong educator bringing compassionate and ethical leadership, diversified knowledge, and expansive experience to the educational community. Michael has been described as a dedicated and hard working overachiever throughout his career. He began this trend by simultaneously earning a B.A., a B.S., and two teaching certifications while at SUNY. Immediately thereafter, Michael moved swiftly into an advanced master's program at West Point, where he completed an M.S. in counseling psychology, and corresponding school counseling certification. Later, Michael successfully completed a second masters degree in Educational leadership. That same work ethic propelled him to complete his doctorate, where he endured a rigorous three year program necessitating 18 hour days of research and writing.

Michael applied his comprehensive education vocationally, and promptly utilized a fusion of education and psychology. He was tapped by Senator Cook to coordinate a "single point" program for several NYS public school systems; the first of its kind in NYS. As coordinator, Michael managed multiple stakeholders including NYS Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS), probation, NYS and county mental health providers, and more. His pioneering efforts are now replicated as a best practice in NYS. Michael was moved by the numerous "at risk" students he served as coordinator, which would steer his future vocational choices.

Mr. Troeger, determined to positively impact exceptional students, next accepted a dual Pupil Personnel Services (PPS) position as a Transition Coordinator, while also providing IEP related services for a high-needs district. He quickly assumed a leadership role on the Ulster County Transition Coordination Council and the Ulster County School to Work Partnership steering committee(s). He would eventually ensure PPS services for the entire range of public school students, K-12. Michael developed district wide curriculum, and worked vehemently to: assist students with mental health and behavioral challenges, to ensure IEP and 504 compliance, to provide an essential SEL skills curriculum, to coordinate college and career efforts, and to supervise students on probation. His efforts earned him accolades from Ulster county in the area of restorative justice.

The NY State Education Department (NYSED) approached Michael regarding his marked achievements with students with disabilities. In response, Michael expanded his efforts from the public school, and established an educational consulting firm, where he is the Chief Operating Officer. Michael has worked in collaboration with NYSED's Adult Career and Continuing Education Services-Vocational Rehabilitation (ACCES-VR).

Michael's advocacy for underrepresented groups, his disdain for discrimination, and his championing of the underdog and outlier... led him into an advocacy role. He was a district point person for special education, behavior management, child abuse and neglect investigations, mental health crises, Mckinney-Vento services to the homeless, and foster care. On a personal level, he keenly and intentionally developed and nurtured relationships with disenfranchised students and parents; those ousted to the fringes of the educational system. Systemically, he built alliances and established shared values with stakeholders, and humbly served the people of his educational community through seeking redress of identified challenges.

Additionally, Michael believes in the tenets of servant leadership, and donated his time and professional expertise as a board member for Empowering Ellenville, some of which included parent and student education and advocacy, an after school tutoring program, a food pantry, warming station, and mental health services. He also serves as a board member of the educational advocacy group Parents United Leaning the Special Education System (PULSES). Michael's tenacious advocacy for ALL students, and ability to connect with parents, earned him an outstanding achievement award from PULSES, and he was further recognized by the NYS assembly for outstanding service to students with special needs.

Michael's compassion for the oppressed, his affable demeanor, and his commitment to equal treatment for ALL, continue to motivate him to ensure efficacious leadership styles, and compliance to law in our schools. To that end, Michael has earned a second master's degree in Educational Administration, with corresponding certifications as school building leader and school district leader. Moreover, he recently completed an Ed.D. in Transformational Educational Leadership, completing and publishing timely research on teacher job satisfaction. His cutting edge research includes best educational practice(s) for positive educational culture and leadership styles. Michael is committed to training up the next generation of educators, and to that end he has mentored and supervised numerous student teachers and interns, provided professional development, and presented as guest lecturer at colleges and institutions of higher learning.

Finally, Michael believes, both professionally and personally, that our existence is centered upon our relationships. In sum, leadership, work, and all human endeavor should be guided by the following relational tenets:

"The best way to lead people into the future is to connect with them deeply in the present. The only visions that take hold are shared visions—and you will create them only when you listen very, very closely to others, appreciate their hopes, and attend to their needs. The best leaders are able to bring their people into the future because they engage in the oldest form of research: They observe the human condition. " (Kouzes & Posner, 2009, p. 1)

When he is not pursuing the aforementioned efforts, Michael enjoys spending time with his wife and son...