Michael Bonner Speaks at New Literacies Collaborative Fall Symposium

South Greenville Elementary School teacher Michael Bonner was the featured speaker at this year’s New Literacies Collaborative Fall Symposium on Thursday, September 27, at the Friday Institute for Educational Innovation. Bonner is a second grade teacher, author and speaker who has captured national attention for his positive and innovative educational approaches to working with children coping with the challenges of poverty. In early 2017, he was honored by Ellen DeGeneres as a visionary leader who strives to create a positive mindset for his students through music.

During the symposium, Bonner shared how he utilized the power of self-reflection to evaluate his qualities as a teacher, navigated the tumultuous waves of working within a Title 1 school in Pitt County, North Carolina, and understood the value of applying creativity to his teaching approach. Standing on a metal chair at one point during his presentation to demonstrate his methods, Bonner inspired a full room of local students and educators with his talk “Motivation Leads To Innovation – The Audacity To Get Up”. The event was co-sponsored by Principal Muriel Summers and A.B. Combs Leadership Magnet Elementary School.