Michael Wesely is an Instructional Technology Specialist with 28 years of experience in Virginia Beach City Public Schools, He believes creativity belongs at the heart of learning. Michael is passionate about turning classrooms into creative playgrounds where curiosity is sparked, innovation is fueled, and a little fun is always part of the plan.

 

Your WHY

I’m passionate about helping educators spark joy, creativity, and confidence in their classrooms by showing them how to use technology to transform learning into something unforgettable. Through storytelling, hands-on tools, and a creative mindset, I empower teachers and students to shift from simply consuming content to creating it with purpose, passion, and play.

My mission is to help educators reimagine their classrooms as vibrant, student-centered spaces where engagement drives deeper learning. I love reminding teachers that they don’t need to be tech experts; they just need the courage to try something new. When students are empowered to explore, design, and lead, learning sticks, and teachers rediscover what lit their fire in the first place.

I do this work because I’ve seen firsthand how powerful learning becomes when we move beyond the script and let curiosity and imagination take the lead.

 

Your Background, Growing Up, and Your Journey in the Corporate World 

Believe it or not, I was incredibly shy and quiet growing up. If you met me today, you’d never guess it. I was the classic oldest child: a rule follower, the “good kid,” meeting all those parents’ expectations. Today, that quiet kid has become someone who embraces failure, leans into creativity, and knows that sometimes it’s better to ask for forgiveness than permission.

In college, I chose business because it felt like a safe bet, a major that opened the door to multiple careers. After graduation, I landed at Enterprise Rent-A-Car and spent five years moving up the corporate ladder. As a manager, I learned the power of lifting others, focusing on their success, and building strong relationships. When you prioritize people and their growth, your success naturally follows.

After five grueling years in business, I found myself at a crossroads. I entered the workforce full of energy and ambition. I enjoyed the success of climbing the corporate management ladder. But by the mid-90s, something had shifted.

Customer service had become a pressure cooker, and the motto “the customer is always right” was starting to spiral out of control. People had figured out that if they complained loud enough, they’d get something for free, no matter what. It wasn’t about solving real problems anymore; it was all about appeasing anyone who made noise. 

The squeaky wheel didn’t just get the grease, it got a refund, a discount, and an apology.

That culture of constant capitulation chipped away at your spirit, slowly but steadily. That’s when I hit the fork in the road. I knew I enjoyed training and motivation. That brought me joy in lifting others. 

So I faced a decision:

Option A: Stay in the corporate world and pivot to corporate training and motivation.

Option B: Use my passion for training and motivation in education. 

I chose education, not because of job market trends or a looming teacher sh...