RON CLARK ACADEMY

7/23/2019

Kim Bearden posted this on Instagram after our trip. It captures my memories of RCA perfectly!

We knew it was going to be good... great... awesome! What we didn’t know is that we’d leave there different people.

Sponsored by community businesses, a second group of teachers from my school attended the Ron Clark Academy in Atlanta, Georgia. (If you are unfamiliar with the school, refer to Kim Bearden's Instagram post above. She is a cofounder of Ron Clark Academy.) Now entering my 14th year of teaching, this has been the most beneficial educational experience of my career. RCA offers a Disney thrill level experience for teachers. We laughed, fought back emotional tears, and felt magic. (Side note: We even got a thrill ride down a two-story tunnel slide!) For two days, our group of 15 teachers, grades Begindergarten-8, along with our guidance counselor, were completely engaged with educators who highlighted all aspects of teaching. The speakers weren’t just talking from educators’ perspectives, though. They were talking as spouses, parents, family members, friends, AND teachers.

I’ve been blasted in the heart with all of the reasons I teach and how much passion I have for Begindergarten. Just one takeaway I’m going to continue to reflect on is that teachers can completely INVEST in their students without letting their students’ hardships get completely inside of their hearts. This can be an overwhelmingly difficult concept to embrace. Once we give a little, it’s so easy to get fully wrapped up in our babies. It’s not meant to be that way, though, and teachers do know that, deep down. At RCA, we were reminded that teachers’ own self care must come first so we can wholeheartedly INVEST in our own families, too. This, in turn, allows for focused teachers who are ready to give, give, give to our students.

Thank you to all OE staff and supporters continually INVEST in our school, encouraging us to step outside of the box to GIVE our kids everything they deserve. #RCAinspires #ronclarkacademy #teachersfollowteachers #iteachtoo

P.S.
Our travel experience... THAT was a different story altogether... not so much magic going on there. We all INVESTED a lot of extra time at the airport, thanks to storms and the absence of a pilot. We all made it back safe and sound, though, and that was my answered prayer.