Description
By Design
A student will potentially have over 20 teachers as they progress through the K-12 education system. If we are not careful, a teacher who is not properly equipped could ruin the educational experience for multiple children. Research indicates that there are 3 areas that have a direct impact on student performance. The diversity within our school systems is increasing and the methods of effective teaching have now been clarified. In this keynote, Michael Bonner will share 3 research-based methods that every educational leader should consider in order to effectively lead a learning organization in today's society.
CHECK OUT THIS VIDEO OF MR. BONNER ON THE ELLEN SHOW!
“I wish I could go back to second grade, so Mr. Bonner could be my teacher,” were the words Ellen DeGeneres released on her social media accounts in early January 2017. This is when she learned of how Mr. Bonner’s unique, rap-filled teaching methods encouraged students to go above and beyond on a reading test.
Mr. Bonner was an inspiring second grade teacher at North Carolina’s South Greenville Elementary, where most students have strenuous familial dynamics, and many are homeless. The school is 100% FRL (free and reduced lunch) and is in an impoverished neighborhood in Eastern North Carolina. He will be starting the 2019-2020 school year as a 3rd grade teacher at the Ron Clark Academy. In early 2017, Bonner was honored by Ellen DeGeneres in recognition of his positive and innovative educational approaches for children coping with the challenges of poverty. Ellen presented Bonner and his school with technical equipment to assist in the creation of music videos serving as aids to education. Additionally, Walmart presented the school with $25,000, and the Ellen Show created a Go Fund Me site for South Greenville, which has raised over $88,000 for the Title I school. However, the amazing journey did not stop there!
One month after he first appeared on her show, Ellen flew Mr. Bonner and his entire second grade class to visit with her again at her studio. Twenty children from Mr. Bonner’s class received an all-expense paid trip to Los Angeles, California. The students recorded in a professional studio, had class on a Hollywood set, and made a professional music video with Ellen, Big Sean, Ice Cube, Migos, Ty Dolla Sign, and Lin Manuel Miranda! Mr. Bonner’s class was then awarded another $20,000 from Walmart to assist in creating a more prosperous learning environment.
His efforts to change the proficiency learning culture have also captured attention from other national news outlets. NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt, Flocabulary, the Ashton Kutcher Foundation, and Remind all released stories on how Mr. Bonner is utilizing music as a tool to help counter the negative statistical data concerning children living in poverty. He’s had the privilege of speaking at NC State University, the American Association for Blacks in Higher Education, and various other institutions, delivering powerful messages on improving student performance and resilience.
Mr. Bonner is consistently seen as a visionary leader who strives to create a positive mindset among all his students. He understands that his students come to class each day with diverse backgrounds, strengths, needs, and challenges, and seeks to identify strategies to ensure the growth of their social, emotional, academic, and psychological needs. Because of his approach to education, students leave feeling a little more hopeful, challenged, inspired, and forever a part of Bonneville!