RCA

The Ron Clark Academy: Reigniting the Fire in my Heart!

/ Nancy Ann Creed / Leave a comment

To start, I want to express what a wonderful experience this has been. It has truly revitalized my passion for education and reignited a fire in my heart.

GO REVEUR  (That is my house and the best house!) 

First Impressions: Energy and Environment

Upon entering the school, we were greeted by an incredible sight: students lined the hallways, waving warmly and offering a heartfelt welcome. Their remarkable poise was immediately evident; they looked us directly in the eye with firm handshakes, contributing to an atmosphere electrified by the staff’s palpable energy. It is clearly an environment where emotional support for both students and staff is a top priority—a transformative experience that I believe every educator should have the opportunity to witness firsthand.

We eventually made our way into the “heart” of the school: a grand rotunda where a student band performed at the front. The physical appearance of the facility—a former warehouse in downtown Atlanta—is simply breathtaking. At the top of the rotunda, an innovative LED display featured dragons flying overhead, culminating in one massive dragon that seemed to watch over us. While I often found myself standing in awe of the school’s aesthetic, that beauty becomes secondary once you enter the classrooms. The high-quality instruction taking place within those walls is more than enough to impress on its own.

Unity Through the House System

A cornerstone of this environment is the House System, which serves as a powerful tool for building unity and a deep sense of belonging. At RCA, this system is themed around multicultural connections and core values:

  • Rêveur (Dreamers)
  • Amistad (Friendship)
  • Isibindi (Courage)
  • Altruismo (Giving)

Students wear uniforms that proudly incorporate their specific house colors into their polo shirts, a practice that fosters camaraderie and combats isolation. Implementing a similar system at our school would be a wonderful way to inject energy, excitement, and a renewed sense of purpose into our daily campus life.

The Pedagogy of Sacrifice

The most profound takeaway was witnessing their pedagogical brilliance firsthand; they are easily the most exceptional educators I have ever encountered. While the depth of their individual relationships with students is something that matures over time, the testimonies from the staff demonstrate a selfless level of dedication and time invested in every child.

Reflecting on a sentiment shared by Ron Clark, he noted that his success as a friend, son, and husband is intrinsically linked to his relentless pursuit of excellence as a teacher. This admission struck a deeply personal chord, prompting a period of intense introspection. I found myself questioning if I am prepared to potentially sacrifice aspects of my life as a mother and wife in the pursuit of becoming a “better” teacher, or if it is truly possible to achieve a sustainable balance.

While I am deeply inspired and have no desire to leave the classroom for an administrative role, Ron Clark’s reflections on the time sacrificed to reach this level of impact give me pause. This experience has given me a renewed vision for how I want my school to be, while also forcing me to consider the emotional toll such a commitment requires.

Strategic Discipline: The Board

Even the disciplinary practices at RCA are executed with strategic intent. For example, the practice of placing a student’s name on the board is designed to minimize disruption. The board is positioned at the very back of the room, often using a black whiteboard with subtle ink. This ensures the board is accessible to the teacher but remains discreet, preventing the public shaming often associated with traditional displays.

A key component is the “no-look” rule. If other students turn around to see whose name is being written, they must also put their own names on the board. Because the board is located behind the students, they would have to physically turn away from the lesson to see it. This strict requirement ensures the focus remains entirely on the instruction at the front of the room. By keeping the discipline “offline” and away from the primary line of sight, the teacher manages behavior effectively without allowing it to become a spectacle.

Check it out: https://www.ronclarkacademy.com

More Works by Nancy Ann Creed

https://books2read.com/links/ubl/m25Ygd

Part 1: Traveling to the Ron Clark Academy

/ Nancy Ann Creed / Leave a comment

I will be writing a series of blog posts about my experiences at the Ron Clark Academy (RCA), documenting this transformative professional development journey.

Part 1 Traveling to Atlanta

This trip marks a significant personal milestone, as it is the first time I have traveled by air since before September 11, 2001. The experience felt somewhat surreal; even the airline check-in agents expressed surprise when they realized how long it had been since my last flight. Over the years, the rising cost of air travel had made it a luxury that simply wasn’t a regular part of my life. Consequently, this journey served as my formal introduction to modern TSA procedures. Being unfamiliar with the current strict regulations regarding liquid sizes, I unfortunately had to surrender my lotion at security. Despite this minor setback, the overall travel experience was positive and smooth.

I am fortunate to be traveling to the Ron Clark Academy thanks to a generous scholarship provided by Sonic Drive-In, which is covering all major expenses, including our hotel accommodations and flights. Our logistical arrangements have been efficient; we utilized Lyft for transit from the airport to our hotel, and the Academy provides a dedicated shuttle bus for the daily commute between the hotel and the school. I am filled with excitement for this opportunity, especially since my own school implemented the Ron Clark Academy House System about a year ago. Recently, however, I have noticed that the initial momentum and enthusiasm among our staff and students have begun to wane, and I hope this visit provides the spark needed to revitalize our program.

The timeless rule of arriving at the airport early remains a necessity in modern travel. I felt grateful to begin this trip at the Evansville airport, which is relatively small and manageable. While the TSA process in Evansville was straightforward, I am mentally preparing for our connecting flight to Atlanta, which I anticipate will be significantly more crowded and chaotic—likely a “10” on a scale of difficulty. To mitigate this, we plan to head to the airport exceptionally early for our return trip on Saturday morning to ensure we can navigate security lines and terminal crowds without unnecessary stress.

My experience checking bags also provided a moment of relief. I was initially anxious after encountering technical difficulties while trying to pay baggage fees online. However, when I reached the counter, the agent informed me that because my bag weighed under 20 pounds, there was no charge at all. I was incredibly relieved that my online payment attempt had failed!

I must admit that the logistics of this trip were somewhat intimidating at first. Having been grounded for so many years, I worried about the complexities of navigating large airports and maintaining a tight schedule. I am very thankful to be traveling with a fellow teacher, as having a colleague by my side has made the entire process much more comfortable and enjoyable.

This trip marks the first time I have traveled by air since before September 11, 2001. It is a bit surreal; even the check-in agents seemed surprised by how long it had been. Since flying has become so expensive, it simply hasn’t been a regular part of my life. This journey provided my very first experience with modern TSA procedures. I was completely unaware of the strict regulations regarding liquid sizes, which unfortunately meant I had to part with my lotion. Despite that small hurdle, the experience was positive.

I am traveling to the Ron Clark Academy (RCA) thanks to a scholarship provided by Sonic Drive-In. They are generously covering all expenses, including the hotel and flights. We utilized Lyft to transit from the airport to our hotel, and the Academy itself provides a shuttle bus for the commute between the hotel and the school. I am incredibly excited for this opportunity. My own school implemented the Ron Clark Academy House System about a year ago, but lately, it feels as though the initial momentum and excitement among the staff and students have begun to wane.

The necessity of arriving at the airport early remains a constant in travel. I am grateful to be flying out of Evansville, as it is a relatively small and manageable airport. While my first encounter with TSA in Evansville was smooth, I am anticipating that the connecting flight to Atlanta will be much more crowded and chaotic—likely a 10 on a scale of 0 to 10. To prepare for this, we plan to leave exceptionally early for our return trip on Saturday morning to ensure we can navigate the security lines and terminal crowds without stress.

I also had an experience checking my bags. I was initially quite nervous because I encountered difficulties trying to pay for the baggage fees online. However, upon arrival at the counter, the agent informed me that because my bag weighed under 20 pounds, there was no charge at all. I was very relieved that the online payment hadn’t gone through!

Admittedly, the logistical aspects of this trip were a bit intimidating. Having not flown in such a long time, I was worried about navigating the airports and making sure I reached every destination on schedule. I am very thankful to be traveling alongside another teacher, which has made the process much more comfortable.

Part 2 Hotel

The flight to Atlanta was remarkably smooth, which was a relief given my long absence from air travel. Since I had not been on a plane in such a long time, I felt incredibly fortunate to have secured a window seat. Watching the world shrink below as we ascended provided a perspective I had truly missed.

My children have never had the opportunity to fly, so I made sure to record a video of the takeoff to share the excitement with them later. I often wish I had the financial means to provide them with this kind of travel experience firsthand. However, the logistics and cost of flying with all my children would be quite expensive. That said, with the current rise in gas prices, I sometimes wonder if driving the same distance would end up being just as costly.

As we made our way to the hotel, we didn’t see much of the local landscape as we remained primarily on the interstate. Eventually, we transitioned through the downtown area, which was visually appealing with its urban architecture; however, as anyone who travels knows, a city is defined by much more than just its downtown district.

The hotel itself was truly remarkable. I have never stayed in a facility with such unique aesthetics. After checking in, I went to inspect my room and was particularly struck by the bathroom design. It was unlike any I had ever encountered. The shower lacked a traditional door; while it initially resembled a standard shower with a sliding glass partition, the panel was actually fixed in place. There was simply an open space at the rear for entry. Furthermore, the bathroom door did not close completely. While this may be a contemporary design trend, I was quite relieved to be staying alone, as the lack of privacy would have been awkward with a roommate.

Later, we gathered with representatives from Sonic on the top floor of the hotel for a scheduled dinner and networking session with educators from various regions. I found myself acting with uncharacteristic confidence; I simply walked over to a table of strangers and joined them for conversation. Those who know me well would understand that this is not my typical behavior. I was pleasantly surprised by my own social initiative, though I reasoned that since most of us had traveled with only one other colleague from our respective schools, we were all in a similar position of not knowing many people. Regardless, I was genuinely impressed with my ability to step outside my comfort zone.

More Works by Nancy Ann Creed

MAEVE https://books2read.com/u/m25Ygd
MATTHEW https://books2read.com/u/bzNZYj
JUSTIN https://books2read.com/u/mBKzLZ
MAURELLE https://books2read.com/u/bzN19D
ANNBELLE https://books2read.com/u/bWqEkx
Carillon https://books2read.com/u/38anZV

The Ron Clark Academy

/ Nancy Ann Creed / Leave a comment

Two years ago, the entire leadership team from my school embarked on a profoundly transformative professional development expedition to Atlanta, Georgia. The core objective of this significant journey was to visit and conduct intensive, first-hand observation of The Ron Clark Academy (RCA), a globally recognized non-profit middle school renowned for its innovative and dynamic teaching methodologies, its high student engagement, and its distinctly unique, vibrant school culture. Located in a renovated red brick warehouse in southeast Atlanta, RCA serves students in grades four through eight from a wide range of economic backgrounds. The school’s co-founder, Kim Bearden, along with its namesake, Ron
Clark, have cultivated an educational model that has inspired educators worldwide.

It is a source of personal regret that I have not yet been able to participate in this impactful trip. Initially, my exclusion was purely due to my not being a member of the official school leadership team, which was the sole group invited in the first year of the opportunity. However, in the subsequent year, as the possibility arose again, I remember earnestly praying that I would somehow be afforded the chance to go. The powerful, albeit painful, lesson I learned from this experience has now become my personal motto: “Ask and you shall receive,” because, unfortunately, I never vocalized my strong desire to attend to anyone. I had kept that deep-seated wish entirely to myself, a silent aspiration that went unheard.

This observation trip proved to be a pivotal and eye-opening experience for our school’s leadership, furnishing them with a wealth of concrete insights, immediately practical classroom strategies, and a deeper philosophical understanding of student-centric education. Upon their return, they commenced the diligent and focused work of implementing a substantial number of the learned techniques, philosophical underpinnings, and cultural elements into our own school environment. This was not a superficial adoption, but a committed, authentic integration of RCA’s successful and proven models into our own unique context.

While I have not yet had the supreme opportunity to visit the physical school itself, I have taken every chance to extensively view a multitude of high-quality videos and photographs of The Ron Clark Academy. From this media, its vibrant, dynamic atmosphere truly appears remarkable and immensely inspiring. The school itself is distinctively and innovatively set up in a former warehouse facility located in downtown Atlanta, Georgia, which contributes profoundly to its unique, non-traditional identity and provides a wonderfully inspiring learning space far removed from the sterile, typical school setting. The environment itself is a powerful testament to the belief that the learning space should inspire creativity and passion.The Impact of the House System.

One of the most significant, visible, and universally successful cultural changes we implemented was the “House System,” a structure famously utilized and perfected by RCA. This system is powerfully reminiscent of the house divisions found in the Harry Potter series, which instantly resonated with our students, injecting an immediate element of magic and fun. Our entire student body was strategically and purposefully divided into various houses, and the subsequent impact of this initiative has been nothing short of profound. The House System has skillfully fostered a powerful and deep-seated sense of belonging and community, ensuring that every single student feels like an integral and valued part of a larger, supportive group, thereby powerfully combating feelings of isolation and disconnection.

This increased sense of connection, camaraderie, and purpose has yielded tangible, measurable, and overwhelmingly positive results, most notably in student attendance. I have personally observed a noticeable and sustained increase in daily student attendance rates across all grade levels. In fact, the demonstrable success of this system was a direct factor contributing to our school proudly winning the district-wide high attendance award for all ten months of the previous school year. Furthermore, I am incredibly proud to report that we have continued this impressive and positive streak, successfully winning the award for every single month so far this current school year. The House System has not only been instrumental in boosting attendance but has also injected a completely new level of energy, excitement, positive peer competition, and overall enthusiasm into our daily school life.

Our school is currently organized into four distinct houses, which we named Amistad, Isibindi, Altruismo, and Rêveur—adopting the exact names used at The Ron Clark Academy. I have the honor of being one of the proud house leaders for Rêveur. The entire staff was asked to thoughtfully choose a house they felt they best aligned with, based on the core values.The Ron Clark Academy House System Values
The Ron Clark Academy (RCA) houses are all themed around fundamental, positive character traits and deep multicultural connections. Their original names and associated values are:

  • Rêveur (Dreamers): This name is derived from French, meaning dreamers or idealists. It represents students who are passionate, imaginative visionaries who pursue their goals fearlessly, encouraging them to think big and challenge the status quo.
  • Amistad (Friendship): Rooted in Spanish and Mexican culture, this name signifies friendship. It strongly emphasizes kindness, unity, and an unconquered, resilient spirit, promoting collaboration and mutual respect.
  • Isibindi (Courage): Hailing from the Zulu language, this word means courageous. It focuses on strength and bravery, and is particularly helpful in encouraging shy or hesitant students to grow, find their voice, and take calculated risks.
  • Altruismo (Giving): Originating from Portuguese and Spanish, this name means the givers. It profoundly highlights the philosophy that the greatest rewards in life come from giving selflessly to others, fostering a culture of service and empathy.


These house names and their associated values are all strategically designed to foster a powerful sense of community, build strong leadership skills in all students, and promote healthy, positive competition through shared values and traditions, which are celebrated through ceremonies and house challenges.

When the staff was asked to choose their house, I thoroughly went through the core values of each, contemplating which house truly fit my personal and professional ethos the best. While I greatly admire the idea of friendship and the profound selflessness of giving, as a dedicated special education teacher, I frequently find myself deeply immersed in dreaming and wanting my students to reach for the stars—to aspire beyond their perceived limitations. I possess an unwavering passion and a resolute “never give up” attitude for my students’ potential.

There is a common and poignant saying that when people stop pushing you, it is because they have given up on you. I refuse to ever give up on a student, regardless of the challenges they face. I firmly believe that there is inherent talent, capability, and fundamental good in all students and, indeed, in all people. This passionate belief in the limitless potential of my students and my commitment to helping them visualize a future beyond their current circumstances made my choice clear, and I proudly became a leader for Rêveur, the House of the Dreamers.A Dream Realized

Though I could never visit the school, I never gave up on that quiet, deep-seated wish. My personal motto, born from the initial disappointment, finally paved the way for a remarkable opportunity. In early fall, my principal sent all of us an email from Sonic, the restaurant (not the hedgehog, as is often joked). It was a scholarship application to win a chance—an all-expenses-paid trip—to go and visit The Ron Clark Academy and participate in an intensive, two-day educators’ professional development workshop. I took about three days, working diligently on the application, meticulously crafting what I would say, how I would articulate my passion, and how I would convey my excitement and unwavering dedication to my students and their future.

On December 10th, I found out that I was chosen to go to this professional development session. I screamed with pure elation when I got the email. It felt like the universe had finally rewarded my silent, persistent dream. I have no idea exactly what I will learn, what new strategies I will bring back, or how my perspective will shift, but I am always incredibly excited to learn new things and bring best practices back to my school and my students. This is the fulfillment of a long-held aspiration.

The Ron Clark Academy, a non-profit middle school, is housed in a renovated red brick warehouse located in southeast Atlanta, Georgia, United States. Founded by Ron Clark and co-founder Kim Bearden, the school has students in fourth through eighth grades, from a wide range of economic backgrounds.

https://www.ronclarkacademy.com

https://books2read.com/u/m25Ygd