Atlanta College and Career Academy

Our Tribute to the late Dr. Michael S. Maze (1970-2019), Former Director of Career, Technical, and Agricultual Education for Atlanta Public Schools.

Dr. Michael Maze was the Director of Career, Technical and Agricultural Education for Atlanta Public Schools.  He began his educational career in APS as a business education teacher and Work-based Learning Coordinator. During his tenure as a CTAE educator, he certified the business education program twice with the GA DOE and the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), developed an active advisory board and served as a CTSO (FBLA) adviser.  He worked collaboratively with core educators to implement lessons that were interdisciplinary, rigorous and engaging.  Additionally, he engaged students in community services projects that targeted Breast Cancer Awareness, March of Dimes: Saving Healthy Babies and Toys for Tots.  Truly believing in career-related educational opportunities, he developed a host of partnerships with businesses to improve the quality of instruction for CTAE students.   He served as Atlanta Public Schools’ CTAE Model teacher leader, a position that allowed him to mentor and support CTAE teachers across the district.  Additionally, he completed the state of Georgia’s CTAE Leadership Institute and served on the Georgia’s CTAE State Advisory Council.

 As the Director of CTAE for Atlanta Public Schools, he improved the quality of instruction and created enriching partnerships with Goodwill Industries, Atlanta Technical College, Georgia Power, Smith and Howard Accounting Firm, Grady Healthcare System, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Atlanta Workforce Development Agency and the City of Atlanta. During his tenure, Atlanta Public Schools saw an increase in the number of pathway completers and the number of students passing the end-of-pathway assessment.  He worked feverishly to improve the quality of education for Georgia’s youth by providing rigorous education, experiences and exposure.

With instruction as the primary focus, he believed CTAE programs provide students with the necessary skills and aptitude to be successful.  To that end, he advocated, promoted and ensured the integration of core and extended core curriculum via interdisciplinary collaboration.  CTAE teachers were afforded the opportunity to plan and execute interdisciplinary units with core teachers. He created opportunities for CTAE teachers to participate in annual externships with business partners to improve their skills and knowledge base.  As a result, teachers were exposed to the latest industry trends and are able to impart the necessary knowledge and skills to students. . 

Under his leadership, the Office of CTAE began a district-wide College and Career Motivation week, where students in grades PK-12 are exposed to motivational speakers, industry professionals, technical colleges, universities and the military. In collaboration with the Professional School Counselors Office, he implemented a district-wide guidance curriculum which focused on post-secondary readiness, college access and employability skills.

In summary, Michael S. Maze dedicated his professional life ensuring that student lives are changed by their participation in high quality, innovative and effective CTAE program in Atlanta Public Schools. To honor his memory, the former Walter L. Parks Middle School is now the Atlanta College and Career Academy at the Dr. Michael S. Maze Campus.

On behalf of the Atlanta College and Career Academy Family, we want to thank Dr. Michael S. Maze for the vision. His legacy continues!

GACTE Recognizes Atlanta Public Schools Dr. Michael Maze 2017 Administrator Year