If you don't know the REAL Journey of Michael Bonner, you're missing out! Michael is a passionate classroom teacher, entrepreneur, keynote speaker, Ellen Show star, and an ALL around inspiring human. Listen for yourself.
In This Episode, We Discuss:
- The inequities in schools today
- Tough conversations that must take place to prepare our students for the "real world"
- Entrepreneurship and Education
- Student passions and talents lead to exceptional learning
Connect with Michael:
Website: michaellbonner.com
Instagram: @michaelbonner_
View & Purchase His Books HERE:
Embrace It (children's book)
Get Up or Give Up: How I Almost Gave Up on Teaching
More About Michael Bonner
Michael Bonner is an educator, speaker, and author. Hailing from eastern North Carolina, Mr. Bonner began his career in education seven years ago at South Greenville Elementary School. After 80 percent of his second-grade class failed a reading test, he promised that if at least 80 percent passed the next test, he would help them shoot a music video. Little did he know that this promise would alter the trajectory of his life forever.
The young scholars passed Mr. Bonner's test and, true to his word, he helped them shoot a music video. After uploading it to Facebook to share with family and friends, it soon went viral with tens of thousands of users from around the world commending the children's enthusiasm for learning and Mr. Bonner's willingness to go above and beyond to engage his students.
The more captivated the students were with Mr. Bonner's lessons, the more videos were created, which led to even more global attention, eventually reaching The Ellen DeGeneres Show. Within two months, Mr. Bonner appeared on The Ellen Show twice; received a total of $45,000 from Wal-Mart for South Greenville Elementary; twenty of his students received an all-expense-paid trip to Los Angeles; and they all shot a music video with celebrities Big Sean, Ice Cube, Migos, Ty Dolla Sign, Lin Manuel Miranda, and Ellen DeGeneres herself!
Bonner not only still teaches in the classroom, but he also travels the world and empowers his audiences to build genuine relationships with their students because "you can't demand a withdrawal from someone you have never invested in."
Administrators and educators alike leave Mr. Bonner's presence ready to make an impact that affects eternity. Mr. Bonner is consistently seen as a visionary leader who strives to create a positive mindset among all of his students. His students come to class each day with diverse backgrounds, strengths, needs, and challenges. Therefore, he identifies strategies to ensure their growth socially, emotionally, academically, and psychologically.
Due to his educational approach, students leave more hopeful, challenged, inspired, and forever a part of Bonnerville. Today, Mr. Bonner lives in Atlanta, Ga. where he is beginning a new educational journey as a fourth and sixth grade English teacher at the famed Ron Clark Academy. You can learn more about Michael Bonner at michaellbonner.com and follow him on Instagram at @michaelbonner_.
Follow the Host, Tara M. Martin
- Twitter: @TaraMartinEDU
- Instagram: tarammartin.real
- Facebook: Tara M Martin
- Linkedin: Tara Martin
- Subscribe: The REAL Journey Show
I'd love to have you share your thoughts of the show using the hashtags #RealJourneyShow and #RealEdu on social media. Also, if you enjoyed the show, please consider leaving a review and rating to help us connect, inspire, and empower even more listeners through the REAL Journey Show.
