RON CLARK ACADEMY

After visiting the Ron Clark Academy with 2 of my colleagues from the Teacher Education department at the University of Mississippi, I am 100% convinced that every educator should go check this school out! It is truly amazing, and I left inspired and full of ideas that I want to implement and model in the college courses that I teach.

If you want to learn more about the Ron Clark Academy, then you should check out this video called "The Education of Dreams". It is the story of a school built to inspire and defy expectations.

—http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cy1bB8y9ed4

So, Ron Clark was there, doing what he does best.... teaching!!

 He spoke to us about the 3 pillars of the Ron Clark Academy, which really makes sense to me.

3 Pillars of the RCA:

1- Student Engagement

2- Rigor

3- Climate and Culture

I challenge all of my educator friends to really think about these 3 pillars!

Who sponsors the RCA?

1- Oprah Winfrey

2- Delta Airlines

3- Inter Continental Hotels

4- Dell Computers

5- Coca-Cola

6- Promethium Boards

I know that it is not realistic for normal public schools to have these types of corporations support and fund their schools, but Ron Clark's motto is "You never know unless you ask."  So, I encourage all teachers to find sponsors to help out in their classrooms.....and they don't even have to be sponsors who make the big bucks... find an organization or people to help you make sure that every one of your students have the necessary supplies needed to succeed, whether that is a pack of crayons or money to attend a field trip.... you never know unless you ask!!   When I taught elementary school for 7 years, not one of my students went without thanks to wonderful friends and sponsors who bought school supplies, paid for baseball uniforms, took care of Santa at Christmas for over 8 different families, sponsored students to attend Art Camp, funded field trips, and the list goes on! The sponsors of the RCA ensure that every student visit 6 of the continents while they attend the RCA.

Ron Clark in Action

 Ron Clark and School Rules

1- Ron Clark believes that rules should be consistent throughout the school.

2- He meets with his staff to determine the consequences for broken rules, and they are consistent school wide with the consequences.

3- The "Essential 55" are the rules that must be followed at the RCA.  For a list of the Essential 55, click below:

http://static.schoolrack.com/files/17618/213179/55rules.pdf

The Essential 55 Rules are posted for all to see,right next to the slide that students can take from the second to the first floor!

More of Ron Clark's Classroom

 Please note that there is not a teacher's desk in his classroom.... there aren't teacher's desks in any classroom! Ron Clark believes that teachers should be up teaching, assisting students, and moving around the classroom at all times.

Most of the teaching done at the RCA is done through song, dance, and presentations on the Promethium Boards... every student that I observed was fully engaged. If you want to see all of this goodness yourself, check out the RCA website for more information and visit dates!

www.ronclarkacademy.com

Last but not least, this is Kristen who tutored me in her 8th grade science class... she taught me a song about the periodic table... which I totally needed some brushing up on.  Look how nice Kristen looks in her uniform!

So, why did I go to the RCA? Not only did I need to see something new and innovative when it comes to education, but I desire to take my college students to the RCA on a field trip! So, a possible field trip is in the works for junior education majors!

Happy teaching to all of my educator friends.  You truly are making a difference, and remember that "The best teachers teach from the heart."