Michael Matera

Michael Matera is an author, international speaker, and classroom innovator known for transforming learning spaces into vibrant communities of curiosity and creativity. At the University School of Milwaukee, he brings history to life through immersive, game-based learning experiences that challenge students to think critically, collaborate authentically, and embrace a sense of adventure in their learning. He is the author of Explore Like a Pirate and the co-author of Fully Engaged and Playing With Purpose with longtime collaborator John Meehan. Michael helps educators around the world design classrooms that hum with energy and purpose. His work blends research-based pedagogy with the joy of play, empowering teachers to move beyond worksheets and toward student-centered experiences that ignite engagement and excellence. Michael is a sixth-grade world history teacher, a lifelong foodie (and a recent convert to vegetarianism!), and a proud dad of a teenage daughter. His teaching philosophy is simple but powerful: when students are engaged, they don’t just learn, they love to learn.