My school has an annual career day, where various industry professionals hold seminars with the students to give them some insight into their professions. Over the last few years we have mixed results with the music professionals. They didn’t know how to engage with students or did not have a compelling story or delivery. I asked if I could reach out to people I know in the industry that would be more interesting for the students. I was given the green light and had Michael first on my list of people to ask. His knowledge of students in this age group, middle school, was spot on in terms of how to weave a compelling story, get and keep their attention and pull questions out of them. From his first sentence to his last answer, students were completely enthralled; they were there! Michael has a sincere interest in helping young people be their best self, whether it’s through music, art, sports or academics. To be able to deliver material to students is one skill. To be able to do it effectively so that they get something out of it is a different level all together. Michael is at that level and then some. If you were even slightly thinking about having someone speak to your students about weaving their own road to success, Michael Wansley is the guy to do it. I’ll use the word again, engage. That’s what you need to get students to listen and learn, be engaging. Regards, Jimmy Thomas Middle School English and Computer Science.