Michael Wallace

Mr. Wallace inherited his love for science from his father, who, despite struggling with reading, possessed a keen and curious mind that led him to become certified as an electronic technician. Following a stint repairing TVs, his father worked at the Nuclear Test Site in Nevada.

After returning from a two-year church mission in France, Mr. Wallace married his high school sweetheart. Initially drawn to studying Chemistry with aspirations for medical school, his career path took a turn when his wife pursued and obtained a degree in Education, igniting his passion for teaching.

His teaching journey began at Brinley Middle School in Las Vegas, a low-income, high-minority school where education often took a backseat to challenges like gangs, drugs, and homelessness. Despite the obstacles, Mr. Wallace found success, with over 55% of his 8th-grade students passing the state science test despite only 25% reading above a 4th-grade level.

In 2005, Mr. Wallace and his family moved to Joplin, Missouri, where he continued to teach 8th-grade science at South Middle School. There, he confronted the apathy stemming from generational poverty, yet his students achieved the highest test scores in the school district.

Since 2014, Mr. Wallace has been a part of the Lava Ridge Intermediate community, where the school consistently ranks at the top in the state for student growth among schools with similar demographics. He and his colleagues strive to engage, motivate, and inspire their students year after year.

• High School Diploma from Ed. W Clark High School, Las Vegas, NV
• Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry from UNLV
• Teaching Certification from UNLV
• Master of Educational Leadership from Arkansas State University