LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — Michael Bottachelli, known as Mr. Bee, is transforming history education at Doral Academy Red Rock High School by using TikTok and rap to engage students.

Bottachelli, a former personal trainer turned history teacher, is using social media platforms like TikTok to reach students both in and out of his classroom. With more than 40,000 followers, his educational videos cover key historical events dynamically and engagingly. His unique approach also includes incorporating rap into his lessons.

“I’ve always wanted to be a rapper,” Bottachelli said, explaining his use of rap in the classroom to capture students’ interest.

Botticelli’s journey to teaching was unexpected. He spent 15 years as a personal trainer before following the footsteps of his father and brother, both educators.

In his 10th-grade world history class, he is known for his energetic personality and innovative teaching style. He believes that traditional methods of lectures and tests are outdated; instead, he focuses on interactive and multimedia approaches.

“If you don’t plan, these kids are going to get bored,” Bottachelli said. “If you are winging it, they will sniff that out from a mile away.”

“He helped me to think about history differently,” Colby, one of Bottachelli’s students, said.

Botticelli’s TikTok channel, History with Mr. Bee, was created to help students who were absent from class. However, it has grown to reach a much wider audience, allowing him to share his passion for history with students beyond his classroom.

“Usually, I don’t think of teachers being on like social media and stuff,” Alexander said.

Mr. Bee’s innovative use of social media and music in teaching history demonstrates a shift in educational methods, aiming to make learning more accessible and engaging for students. His approach not only captivates his students but also reaches a broader audience, showcasing the potential of modern technology in education.

All facts in this report were gathered by journalists employed by KLAS. Artificial intelligence tools were used to reformat from a broadcast script into a news article for our website. This report was edited and fact-checked by KLAS staff before being published.