Dr. Michele Joseph is the Founder and Head of School at Gateway Academy. She established Gateway with a clear purpose: to create a nurturing, challenging, and personalized environment where neurodiverse learners can grow as individuals and practice navigating real-world expectations with confidence and support.

With a background in speech/language pathology and over three decades of experience in education, Dr. Joseph brings deep expertise and unwavering dedication to her work. Her professional journey began in public schools as a classroom teacher, Behavior Specialist, and Learning Resource Teacher. Since 1999, she has served in private school settings, always focused on supporting students who think and learn differently.

Dr. Joseph holds a B.S. in Speech/Language Pathology and an M.Ed. in Reading and Special Populations. She earned her Doctorate in Educational Leadership with a dissertation titled Predictors of Post-Secondary Participation of Neurodiverse Individuals: A Quantitative Exploratory A Posteriori Study, reflecting her commitment to improving outcomes for students beyond high school.

Her research interests include ADHD, autism, dyslexia, post-secondary transition, employment for neurodiverse individuals, and nonprofit leadership. She holds a Certificate in Nonprofit Leadership from Rice University and is a skilled educational consultant with a demonstrated history of launching programs that meet the unique needs of neurodiverse learners.

Dr. Joseph has served on the Board of Trustees at The Westview School, on the Houston Branch of the International Dyslexia Association, and as an advisory board member for ADDA-SR. Above all, she is passionate about creating meaningful opportunities and programs that prepare students for success in education, employment, and life.