At the beginning of my teaching career I remember coming home and my mom telling me I needed to watch Oprah. There was a teacher named Ron Clark on her show and he had an amazing story and a new book. I was so inspired, and as Ron said in our training, “Oprah held that book to her bosom and told me to buy his book”, and I did. Â I bought his book, The Essential 55 the very next day.Â
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When my friend Hope King told me her sweet, talented husband was going to work for Ron Clark Academy, I wasn’t surprised. Â If there ever was a teaching power couple, it would be the Kings. They are downright amazing! Â And of course… Hope was in Atlanta for a hot minute before she was working for the Academy as well. Â
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I have been blessed through blogging in many ways, but the biggest blessing has been the friendships I’ve made. Â These girls aren’t my “blogging” friends, they are some of my best friends. Â Each year, as good friends do, we take a girls trip. This year just happened to be the perfect combination of our love for teaching and our love for spending time with each other. Â
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So we headed to Atlanta to visit our friend Hope and watch Hope and her husband Wade in action, at Ron Clark Academy. Â And let me just tell y’all, it was one of the most amazing teaching experiences of my life.Â
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As we stood outside a large iron gate waiting to enter, an energetic man in blue came zipping out of the gates to lead us in. Â Just picture Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, because folks it was straight out of the movie! He led us into a beautiful library complete with a trampoline and students cheering, singing and teachers jumping! Â The energy at the academy is contagious.Â
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After an introduction from the sweet Kim Bearden, cofounder of the Academy and a powerful speech from Ron, we were on our way to observe in the classrooms, attend workshops and take in the magic that is RCA. Â
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Can y’all imagine if this was your school? I mean, how could you not love to come?Â
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The teachers at RCA are beyond talented, the students are downright amazing, and the lessons I learned were so powerful. Â In addition, it was one of those times, where you never want to leave, but can’t wait to get home and share everything you learned with every teacher you know. Â I felt so inspired and empowered I wanted to run back to my classroom, jump on a table and teach my heart out. Â And lets just talk about the students! The most polite, witty, smart kids you’ll ever meet. Friends, the math these kids were doing in 5th grade, made me darn glad I taught 1st grade. They are brilliant! Â I wanted to grab them up, put them in my pocket and take them home. Â
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Kim and Ron both did workshops that were so inspirational and of course I cried. Â And I must say they bragged on our sweet Hope and I cried again. Â I’m just so darn proud of her! And this is why…Â
Yep… That’s the door to Hope’s classroom. Â Her creativity is endless. Â Her passion for teaching is beyond compare, and work ethic is unmatched. Â She gives Ron Clark a run for his money. They are seriously somehow related. Â And this would be her room…
And it’s still not finished. I can’t wait to see when it’s complete.Â
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At the end of the school day, we got slide certified. Â Thank goodness this girl didn’t flip upside down, because darn y’all, that slide is slippery. But, Â I love what that slide stands for. Â It stands for being different, being a risk taker, teaching with passion and motivating your students. Â It reminds me to not take the stairs, think of new ways to teach the mundane and make it something every student is excited to learn. Â
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And then you’d think our day would be done… but friends, we’re at RCA with Hope King. And if y’all didn’t know, that girl doesn’t sleep. Â So we kept right on and followed her to the very first basketball game in their new gym. Â And in Ron Clark and Kim Bearden fashion, there was nothing ordinary about this middle school basketball game. Â And I mean nothing! From a floor that was on fire, to smoke, score boards the size of my classroom and kids running the music, this game was nothing short of amazing. Â I’ll warn you though, DO NOT SIT DOWN! Ron Clark will fuss you out! You better stand, cheer, sing and dance at all times. Â It’s hard not too anyway. It’s such a powerful crowd and their energy is contagious. Â
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So y’all! Tell Starbucks you’ll be back later and start saving, because this trip is worth every penny! Every teacher in America should go. Â Run…don’t walk! It will change your teaching forever and make your teaching heart so full!Â
(Photos courtesy of RCA)
If you want more information on RCA:
Visitation:Â http://www.ronclarkacademy.com/Educator-Welcome
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