Senator Michael Johnston is a Colorado native and a Morgridge College of Education alumni who has made high impact on the schools of our state as a student, teacher, administrator, author, and now as a member of the State Legislature representing District 33 of Northeastern Denver. Senator Johnston served as a member of the transition team on education policy for president-elect Barack Obama during his campaign. Johnston authored the number one selling education book In the Deep Heart's Core, based on his experience teaching in the rural south for Teach for America. Before being appointed to the State Senate, he also served in the Denver area as principal of the Mapleton Expeditionary School of the Arts, the Joan Farley Academy, and the Marvin Foote Detention Center. As an influential member in the field of education, the senator has been featured in Forbes Magazine's "7 Most Powerful Educators" and Time Magazine's "40 under 40".