Reflections from Ron Clark Academy Experience

 

My first contact with Ron Clark was when he was a keynote speaker at a conference in Las Vegas about eighteen years ago. During his hour keynote, Mr. Clark brought energy, laughs, ah-ha moments, and specific teaching points. I wanted to hear more so over the next years I watched and read anything I could get my hands on from him and Kim Bearden, the Co-Founder and Director of the Ron Clark Academy. Can I just say that I’ve wanted to experience the Ron Clark Academy (RCA) for many years!

Guess what? Our Principal, Kara Morgan, found a way to send members of Bethke Elementary to experience this magical place! I can’t say thank you enough for allowing me to join this adventure.

What happens when ten educators from your elementary school in the summer experience The Ron Clark Academy? Educators’ conversations change to “what if” and “how do we”.

Classroom environment is key to a portal to a different learning space. Excitement is always free…we can bring what we need into our space for learners. A key point that stood out to me in each room I visited at RCA was that each educator brought what engages/inspires him/her into the classroom. If the educator was passionate about literature, the room was surrounded by floor to ceiling bookshelves filled with literature. If the educator was passionate about movies and gaming, the room was literally painted with scenes from movie scenes or gaming experiences. If the educator was enthralled with Star Wars, the room décor matched and even had lights/sounds to match. Our teachers must find a way to showcase what engages them and find a way to play on the magic of that with our learners. Let’s think long and hard about how we set up our learning spaces to bring the excitement from the first-time kids step into our rooms. Let’s sprinkle it with magic!

Strong conversational skills by students were highlighted in every learning space. RCA teachers were masterful about short teaching points and huge amounts of student communication. Several strategies noticed were turn/talks, discussions, teacher constantly questioning and student discourse (“I respectfully disagree with you because…). A key point that stood out to me was that each educator made it a point to let the kids take the lead with the discussions. Students were comfortable popping up with conversation (and once they had simple eye contact from teacher) and standing to share his/her thinking with the others in the room. RCA students weren’t shy about respectfully disagreeing with someone’s thoughts and were immediate to share their WHY in this process. I was extremely impressed with this because adults often struggle with discourse in our own conversations! We learned so much from the RCA students.

Music was embedded into all parts of our RCA experience. Visiting educators were greeted with songs playing and many learners cheering. Everyone should experience a greeting like this at some point in their year. WOW the feeling of excitement for what was about to happen was evident! Not only do learners experience music to signify a job well done, but there’s a sense of student ownership in chants (subject matter material), too. Ron Clark stated, “Songs can be a prize (for the learning), but it’s much better when they are used as a (learning) tool.” Students not only remembered key teaching points by chants, but these students were the creators of many of the chants/songs. We experienced students sharing academic vocabulary in conversations where learners used movements and chants to recall meaning to use in those conversations. It was powerful to see this tool in action where students were completely in control of the tools for learning and sharing of ideas. Movement and music transformed the RCA learning spaces in such a powerful way; you have to experience this to feel this magic.  

At the end of our training day, I became “Slide Certified”! Oh, this is more than just a slide. Yes, it’s the centerpiece of the Ron Clark Academy. But this slide is a symbol…reminders to have no fear, to be bold, and to embrace taking a different path in life and as an educator. Educators exiting this slide seemed to be giggling and some had tears flowing because this training was an emotional experience. Our school’s plan is to send many more groups of educators to the Ron Clark Academy in the coming months and years to experience the magic firsthand. Let’s go Bethke Elementary!

Our first RCA visiting team can’t wait to bring this learning to our school community during 2022-2023! #rcainspired 

   

  

  

  

Learning from 2020

2020 gave us time to reflect on what’s truly important and create a vision of what we want to become and do. So what have I learned in 2020?

1. Hard work never stops. Gosh, how I’ve loved watching my son’s journey as he leans into his goal of becoming an engineer. He pivoted when his summer intern position was COVID canceled; he took a couple of classes instead so he “could use time wisely”. In the fall when others stayed home to go virtual, he remained at the University of Michigan to do blended learning and continue with labs. Along came September's job fair, Austin engaged and recently accepted an engineer position with an international company! He will be working in Chicago the week after he graduates in May 2021. At a time when others are finding it hard to locate work, this young man has secured his place in his dream job; to say we are proud would be an understatement. Hard work and hard decisions continue to pay off.

2. Different isn’t necessarily bad. There isn’t a life that hasn’t been asked to go somewhat virtual in 2020. Each educator has endured learning how to quickly pivot to teaching on a virtual platform. With this came different ways of thinking and many failures/opportunities along the way as we looked for how to make this work better for our learners. Educators have been pushed like never before to adapt and change learning environments. Much of what we’ve learned along the way has actually changed our thinking about the importance of student voice, collaboration, and ownership. Many educators have learned that technology is a powerful resource, but we must use it differently than we have in the past. Cheers to the many collaborative spaces that have emerged from teachers trying new resources! You bet it has been hard, but oh the moments of joy when different worked well for students.

3. Cheerleaders in life are important. We all need people who make us feel like we can do it and this year definitely had us leaning into those people. I hope you have at least one person (if not many) who fill that role for you. For me, my spouse is a voice who always helps remind me of my purpose and helps me brainstorm ways to move forward. He is such a great source of encouragement and positivity when I am struggling. Ricky is constantly my rock in this world that is full of challenges, obstacles, and plenty of reasons to be discouraged. He reminds me daily that we get more in life when we do for others and listen closely to what may help someone along his/her journey. If you haven’t asked someone lately, “How can I help you?” I challenge you to start there and see where it takes you.

4. Gratitude and hope make a difference. These just might be the greatest “gifts” we can offer others. We acknowledge fear and grief, but we must seek hope and gratitude. We cherish our family and friends. We build connections rather than fall into the trap of isolation. We show ourselves the same compassion we’re showing others. We remind ourselves that even though some of the losses will stay with us, this situation is finite – it will end and we will recover to move forward. Our conversations need to turn to one of opportunity – action we can take and positive impact we can have. We remember what we are thankful for and hope to see value in all the little details around us daily. Let’s make sure the good stands out; let’s become noticers of the good in our lives!

May 2021 be a year where being grateful resides at the forefront of my heart, thoughts, words, and actions. I want to live with abundant hope. I want to work hard and do for others along the way.

Texas to Michigan

Letting go is hard. My husband and I spent this past weekend helping Austin move into his apartment at the University of Michigan. It’s a double edged sword that this young man really didn’t need us. Yes, I want to say that he needed us every step of the way with the move, but honestly WE needed him and this experience.

He is in for another year of such a special opportunity. Our hope is he heaps his plate with new academic, athletic, cultural and social offerings. During the next two years, life will mix youth, freedom, opportunity, and resources together in quite a remarkable combination. We want him to make the most of them all!

In the end, our job as parents is to make sure our kids are independent and happy. Well, Austin Carr, you have certainly accomplished this task and have made your parents extremely proud. Keep stepping out and showing the world just who you are.

To all our Bethke Elementary parents, please take time to enjoy all the steps your learners experience this year. All those steps add up to BIG lessons in the coming years; these years will go quickly, believe me.

Beginning 2019-2020 @ Bethke Elementary

 

The first 8 days of the 2019-2020 school year happened! The best part of our school FINALLY arrived on our campus – our learners! It was such a thrill to watch our learners in various spots around our campus. There was excitement all over our building as students were reconnected with old friends and learning about many new friends to Bethke Elementary.

I’m always impressed with what our educators make happen at the beginning of a new school year. Teachers work hard to provide open-ended opportunities that challenge our scientists, mathematicians, and readers. It’s fun to enter learning spaces to check out some of the action! Make sure you follow the action on Twitter #BethkeGrows. You will want to connect with us online to see the daily views being shared.

Check out some of our sights…

Our new families add new ideas and smiles to our learning spaces.	Our first grade writers are experimenting with phonics during our "Rug Clubs". Thanks, Mrs. Cameron!	Welcoming our second graders are on the first day in Mrs. Anderson's room. There is something about play-doh that adds fun!
Yep, these are our fifth grade teachers and they are #ROOTED for instruction and collaboration.	Thank you to all the parents who sent a piece of home in lunchboxes. We loved reading notes from parents in our cafeteria.	It's all about letters/sounds in first grade...even on the first week! Thank you to Ms. Martinez for sharing these smiles with us.

 

First Week 2016-2017 - Bethke Elementary

We entered week 1 with the best resource FINALLY stepping foot in our brand new building – our scholars! Learners arrived at Bethke Elementary on Monday from many locations in and out of our district. Our school opened our doors with 613 students ready to embrace learning! It was such a beautiful sight. When a new school opens, there are so many possibilities for all the new ideas that will flood into a building from ALL learners!

The excitement on our campus is just amazing! All of our resources haven’t quite arrived and you would never know from the activities happening in classrooms. Teachers creatively provided open-ended opportunities for our scientists, mathematicians, and readers. It has been fun to enter learning studios this week to see all our learners engaged and collaborating with others on projects. Thank you Bethke educators for making sure our students loved learning this week. I can't wait to see what this school year brings as we Build our Bethke Legacy! Follow the action on Twitter #BethkeLegacy.

Check out some of the sights…

Smiling families greeted our educators on Monday!	Bus driver gave high fives to ALL learners. What a way to start the day!	Flexible/Choice seating took over our campus. Thanks #desklesstribe.
Collaboration during fifth grade science experiment. “How/Why” was topic of conversation!	Yes, reading workshop happened on Week 1 in fourth grade. Thank you, Mrs. McKiernan.	I love hanging out in the cafeteria and engage in conversations with our learners. They teach me so much daily!

Journey

The last couple of days have truly changed me as a mom and educator. My husband and I traveled to Michigan to get our son, Austin, set up for his first semester in college. A stream of emotions have accompanied me on this journey. I am so proud of what this young man has accomplished in his eighteen years of life. His dream of playing baseball in college has come true and he secured an amazing scholarship (87%) to make it happen! Austin knows the power of sticking with something that you love through all the ups and downs. He knows how to make choices, learn from mistakes, and handle conflict on his own. There has been such a delicate balance of leading him and allowing him to walk forward alone. We have worked hard to give him the opportunity to navigate through life’s twists and turns. The game of baseball has taught him so much and most importantly how to persevere; that will carry him far in life.

Watching Austin take the next steps on his educational journey makes me want to thank some special educators who touched him with wisdom, but more importantly spoke to his heart. Thank you to Julie Cruser, Deedria Bourgeois, Vicki Armentor, Rafael Villarreal, and Mark Fobian. I want each of you to know that your planted seeds in Austin have taken root and have made a difference in his life. A little piece of each of you is now ready to shine in Michigan for the next four years. Thank you for pouring your heart into our son.

Educators, please know that you play such a big part in our learners’ lives. When we focus on building our learning spaces with love, everything else is secondary. You will never know just how far your reach will influence a student. Many of you won’t see the fruits of your labor for many years to come…just know that it will happen. My hope is that someone remembers to say thank YOU many years later. 

Austin and mom after dorm room was assembled. Success!	Mason (roommate) and Austin with Dr. Ditzler (Albion President) while taking a tour of this beautiful home.	Faculty creating a “clap in” to welcome all incoming freshman. This was one of those heart moments this weekend – pure love!

TEPSA 2016 - Learning and Growing

It has been shared by several passionate leaders that powerful ideas happen through reflection. I’ve heard that the first 48 hours after an event one must take time to reflect and capture thoughts for real change. That means that it must be time for me to reflect on my #TEPSA16 adventure. I believe I began attending the summer TEPSA conferences in 2011 and this summer’s event was one of my favorites by far due to the topics, presenters, and collaboration.

One hundred and twenty-six sessions were offered over a course of three days. I chose ten sessions hoping to push my thinking. I attended several sessions with topics focused on how to ensure we have high-quality educators in every classroom in our buildings. Each of these sessions reminded leaders about the power of positivity, accountability, and transparency.

I actually think of myself as a positive person who believes it’s important to see the silver lining. Hearing presenters such as @christinacole03, @TechNinjaTodd, and @Teach_aLa_Carte talk about how accentuating the positive is actually necessary to build strong school team…well, it just made me smile. I know that positive ideas drown out the negative and try walk that talk daily. It was suggested that we talk about the problems, but must focus on the solutions. Small problems stay small when we focus on quickly addressing and working together to find solutions. When educators make time to put their heads together, amazing things happen for all learners!

Ms. Christina Cole shared that educators can take accountability to the next level by helping their students set their own learning goals. We must find ways to propel student’s learning forward by focusing on what goals they have for themselves! I’ll be serving 3^rd – 5^th graders as a lead learner at Bethke Elementary in the fall. I want to help our educators improve learning for our students by helping our learners build their own learning goals for the 2016-2017 school year. Let’s do this! It was stated that part of accountability is finding ways to involve the community in the process. We want our schools to be known as places where all community members are welcomed on a daily basis. Mr. Todd Nesloney not only invites the business leaders into his school weeks prior to the opening of school with a Business Open House, but he also shared how the educators in their school take the school to students’ homes with a hot dog event! I am determined to chat with the Bethke educators on finding a way to make this happen in our learning community.

Ms. Frances Gonzalez shared ideas on ways schools can invite teachers to be viewed as change agents by encouraging groups to have open and honest talk – Think Tanks. Our educators need to be positioned with other learners to grow in their thoughts. Networking inside and outside of our four walls is not only helpful, but it is crucial to the development of our teams. I will make sure I’m a leader who works side-by-side with all educators in our building and I want to make sure I am a person who is learning from educators outside of Bethke community, too. I believe that all learners need to view their leader as someone who talks about his/her own successes and failures. I want to be an educator who is trying things and growing from those experiences. 

To say that I love collaboration would be an understatement. I truly believe that ideas grow when passionate educators join forces and collaborate about our work. During #TEPSA16, it was a thrill to collaborate with many people in my PLN. Participating in sessions at TEPSA planted topics for evening dinner conversations and hotel room meetings. Connecting with other educators and discussing “what ifs” puts control in our hands, but it also helps push the entire field of education forward. Thank you to many educators who reflected and pushed my thinking this week. There is something special about professional learning communities! Thank you #TEPSA16.