Michael Freedman

Michael Freedman

Michael Freedman

Founder and CEO

Michael Freedman is the founder and CEO of Practical Academics, which operates the Instructional Artists Collective (IAC), The Public Square Academy, Career Storybook, Keystones, and the Chops Academy. Michael leads the Program Design and Mentoring programs and orchestrates the IAC Mentoring program. His goal for these programs is to create vibrant educational ecosystems in order to educate, empower, and engage program participants.

Academic and Professional Background

Michael’s background is in business operations, education, technology implementation and support, and business development. For twenty years in management of mid-sized technology corporations his focus was on creating and operating highly effective and efficient organizations serving high-end clients. For fifteen years he has taught from elementary to graduate school, in class and online, and at private, public, and charter schools.

He has an M.A. from the Annenberg School at USC in Communications Management and a B.A. from UC Santa Barbara in Speech Communications.

Personal Profile

Michael has complimented his working career with a life of public service as the board chair of two non-profits, a school board chair, and a high school district trustee. He volunteers in his local community to support healthy economic growth, talent development, and improved quality of life.  His top Strengths are Strategic, Learner, Maximizer, Achiever, and Command. He is a strong and supportive leader, an excellent problem-solver and strategic thinker, is broadly knowledgeable, and works well with motivated people, helping them to achieve their goals.

Cultural Perspectives

Practical Academics is Michael’s third stage; his legacy career. Michael was adopted into a non-practicing Jewish family and grew up in West Los Angeles. He is proud of the American heritage of individualism balanced with collective engagement and works to empower others to live more meaningful lives by helping them recognize, develop, and champion their best selves.

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