About Michael

Job History:

I am a math teacher and historian of science. Currently I teach advanced mathematics at Benson Polytechnic High School in Portland, and serve as adjunct professor of mathematics at Portland State University. You can visit the webpage that gives access to my scholarly work at the Benson Polytechnic site.  In the course of my teaching career I've taught in prison (more about that later), in Oakland, California, and in three high schools here in Portland.  I've been building liaison teacher for the English as a Second Language program for seven years.  I've taught US and world history, German, Russian, general science, and physics, both introductory and Advanced Placement.  I've served as Science Bowl coach and chess club advisor.

Decades ago I translated for a living, from Russian to English.  I spent two years as a physics lecture demonstrator at Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts, and two years as a museum technician of modern physics at the National Museum of History and Technology in the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC.

Political Experience:

My work in politics is connected with the Pacific Green Party of Oregon.  I've served since 2008 as elected co-chair of the State Co-ordinating Committee of the Party, and since 2009 as Executive Director of its Portland Metro Chapter.  I was nominated and ran for the US House of Representatives 3rd District seat two years ago, and am running for the second time this year.

Just living in the United States during the Vietnam War led to my having been jailed, tear-gassed, and beaten by billy clubs during a number of demonstrations against that war.  On one occasion the man standing next to me, James Rector, was shot to death by Alameda County (California) Sheriff deputies, and I served as pallbearer at his funeral.  I personally went to federal prison for refusing the war, and spent two years in Lompoc, California, Federal Correctional Institution.