Michael Sano is an East Coast transplant to the West Coast where he enjoys every minute of the life, weather and food in San Francisco. Michael has worked the past six years for Academic Support Services at the University of San Francisco, first with Student Disability Services and currently at the Learning & Writing Center, guiding students through their college studies.

Michael was born and raised outside of Boston where most of his family still lives although many have been slowly migrating to California, too. After graduating Boston College with a B.A. in English, Michael went to Spain where he earned a TOESL teaching certificate. He stayed on in Spain awhile before heading to Panama to teach ESL. He returned to Boston where he was a substitute teacher and also spent a summer helping lead two VISIONS programs in the Dominican Republic.

With an M.A. from the University of San Francisco in International and Multicultural Education, Michael is frankly passionate about literacy. He volunteers in San Francisco with native English speakers and native Spanish speakers to help them improve their native language literacy skills. During his graduate studies, Michael traveled to Cuba to study the Cuban educational system with particular interest in the Literacy Brigade and the Si Se Puede literacy program, both of which have contributed to Cuba's near 100% literacy rate.

In his spare time, Michael enjoys swimming, seeing live music, writing, biking and traveling. He's always looking for a good new book or recipe. He also has recently developed an interest in sustainability, and so is especially excited to return to VISIONS as Nicaragua's Program Director this summer.