Where are the teachers?

During assemblies, celebrations, learning activities and even lunchtime....where are the teachers and RCA staff? They are not standing along back walls, they are engaged and involved with the students. It is clear that RCA teachers and staff are a part of every aspect of their students' experience at the Academy.

The Three Pillars of RCA (Ron Clark Academy)

CLIMATE - The climate and culture of a school should ignite a passion for learning, provide support and encouragement, reflect high expectations for student behavior, promote parent involvement and ensure a safe, secure environment for all.

RIGOR - A rigorous classroom is one that teaches students to understand, analyze, and synthesize complex and challenging content.

STUDENT ENGAGEMENT - Students must be actively engaged for authentic learning to take place.

Building Community

Pictures of parents, staff and students decorate the walls of the Ron Clark Academy. The pictures help build and strengthen their community. Students' dreams are shared, family pictures are shared and school events are shared. Students proudly show their photos to visitors, because the photos tell a story and reflect their pride and joy of being part of the Ron Clark community. The photos are replaced each year so that current events and student photos are always on display. The Academy has a photographer that captures some of the photos, and photos are also collected from parents, staff and students.

What better way to decorate a school?

Click here for a blog on how to create a classroom community student photo wall from a teacher who attended the Ron Clark Academy and was inspired by this practice!

          

      

Student Engagement

The most important component of the Ron Clark Academy you ask? Student engagement. All teachers aren't singers, table walkers and dancers. But, all teachers have skills that can be utilized to engage students. Successful teaching isn't about standing in front of a room and students consuming the content that is delivered. Successful teaching must include fluid content delivery, rigor and a conscience effort to engage students. How do you engage your students?

Student Speakers

Students stood and answered questions during class and also taught content. Whether standing and explaining their point or answering a question, they conclude by asking, "Does anyone agree with me?" and invite other students to contribute. If no one is in agreement, the student asks "(name) can you explain why you do not agree?" What a great way to involve students and allow them to take ownership of their learning....instead of talking to students, they talk and solve among themselves.

Stephanie's Reflection

The ENERGY of the Ron Clark Academy was infectious. From the opening of the doors to the slide certification, the energy was unlike any experience in my 40 years! 

The teachers showed love first and then offered honest criticism. Criticism allows students to grow and get better. Students were okay with criticism because they knew it grew out of love. 

Don't allow dead space. If searching for a worksheet or you need to deal with something away from students, teach them an educational chant, direct them to a new task, or find a way to keep them focused on the task at hand so there is no dead space.

Incorporate games into class but adhere to these rules:

- No student can be invisible - every student answers questions 

- Use higher level thinking - challenging skills should be incorporated into games

- Be prepared to "grab attention back" quickly after games - don't relinquish control.

Going Down the Slide!

Ron Clark Quote:

Be different. Be bold. Don't always do things the same way that they have been done in the past. Instead of taking the stairs like everyone else, slide! Go for it and live with no fear!

Students and teachers sang as all educators became slide certified!

What an honor to be slide certified at the Ron Clark Academy!

Krista Shorf became slide certified!

Jeannie Yost became slide certified!