Bob Michels was born in San Francisco, California. He received his B.A. degree and elementary teaching credential in 1961 from San Francisco State University, after studying education and psychology. In 1967, he received his M.A. degree from San Jose State University in Educational Administration as well as a secondary teaching credential. Michels has been a teacher and administrator in elementary, middle and high schools. His career emphasis primarily has focused on working with non-conventional and at-risk youth.
In 2001, Michels joined the Education and Counseling Psychology Departments as an adjunct lecturer while working in the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics as program manager and trainer for the Character-Based Education Program (CBL). Michels was responsible for working with teachers, administrators, and other school personnel in county offices of education and school districts throughout the state to develop and implement the CBL Program, a standards-based literature program for underachieving youth. Currently, Michels is a full time lecturer for the Education Department and Counseling Psychology Department and is responsible for the coordination of the TPA assessments.
Michels continues to serve on various statewide committees in both alternative and mainstream education and has been a pioneer and leader in the development of statewide court and community school programs. In his free time he is an avid traveler and enjoys cooking and photography. Michels is an expert in accreditation and chairs 2 to 7 school accreditations yearly, both locally and abroad.