Today we’d like to introduce you to Michael Bonner.
Hi Michael , can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I started my career as a second-grade teacher at South Greenville Elementary in North Carolina, one of the most economically challenged schools in the state. Early on, I realized my students weren’t disengaged because they didn’t care—they just needed to see that their effort mattered. So I began creating lessons that connected academics to life, music, and purpose.
One day, I recorded a class music video to motivate them, and it unexpectedly went viral—landing me on The Ellen DeGeneres Show. That moment changed everything. It opened doors for me to speak around the world about education, leadership, and resilience. But I never stopped teaching.
Today, I serve as a teacher at the Ron Clark Academy in Atlanta, a keynote speaker, author, and entrepreneur. My mission is simple: to remind people—students, educators, and leaders alike—that it’s not about where you start, it’s about how you use what you’ve been given to create lasting impact.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. In the beginning, teaching in a Title I school came with challenges that stretched me—students battling poverty, limited resources, and circumstances beyond their control. There were days I left the classroom wondering if I was truly making an impact.
When my story went viral, new challenges appeared. Suddenly I was navigating national attention, speaking engagements, and learning how to build a business from the ground up—all while still teaching. Becoming a first-time business owner and wealth establisher in my family came with curveballs: managing taxes, contracts, and financial literacy that no one had taught me.
But I’ve always believed that purpose and perseverance go hand in hand. Those experiences deepened my commitment to philanthropy and financial education—because it’s not enough for me to succeed alone. I want to make sure others, especially those from communities like mine, know that they can too.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
At my core, I’m an educator and storyteller. I currently teach at the world-renowned Ron Clark Academy in Atlanta, where between 10,000–20,000 educators visit each year to be professionally trained and inspired. Inside those walls, I get to model what transformative teaching looks like—combining rigor, creativity, and empathy to help students thrive academically and emotionally.
Beyond the classroom, I’ve delivered over 350 keynote speeches across the nation and internationally, working to empower educators, leaders, and organizations to reimagine what’s possible in learning and leadership. My partnerships with companies like Intuit, Deloitte, Meta, People Magazine, 3M, Home Depot, and LEGO Education have allowed me to merge corporate innovation with educational impact—bridging two worlds that can learn a lot from each other.
I’m most proud that my work still centers around purpose. I’m known for creating spaces where people feel seen, valued, and motivated to act—whether that’s a student finding confidence in the classroom or a CEO rediscovering the “why” behind their work.
What sets me apart is my balance of heart and strategy. I don’t just talk about change—I live it every day in the classroom. That dual perspective keeps my message authentic, grounded, and rooted in real experience.
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
One of the best ways to connect with my work is to visit the Ron Clark Academy in Atlanta, where I teach. It’s a place that redefines what school can look and feel like—where passion, rigor, and creativity collide to help educators and leaders see life and learning differently.
Beyond that, schools, districts, and organizations can book me for keynote speeches, workshops, or professional development sessions through my website or Premiere Speakers Bureau. I also collaborate with brands and companies that are passionate about education, innovation, and community empowerment—especially those looking to create meaningful, lasting impact.
For individuals who want to support, start where you are: mentor a student, donate to a local classroom, or contribute to one of my scholarship initiatives that open doors for students from underserved communities.
At the end of the day, collaboration is about alignment. Whether through education, philanthropy, or storytelling, I’m always open to partnering with people and organizations who are serious about building lasting change—not just inspiration, but impact.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.michael-bonner.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaelbonner_/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michaellbonnerjr/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-bonner-a609ab179/
- Twitter: https://x.com/MichaelBonner_
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@bonnerville
