Before you even walk in the doors of the school, you know that it is something special. There are elaborate metal gates that open up to a giant medieval castle painted onto the outside of the school. What more could a middle school student want? When we walked into the school on the first day, we were greeted by the man himself! Immediately, you notice that Ron Clark's presence just radiates enthusiasm. Walking through the crowds of students and teachers was a feeling I can't describe. I was turning my head from the electric guitar to the trampoline and this way and that. And yes, I cried a little! This school is unlike any other.
We were taken to the Great Hall, which is decorated like something straight out of a magical world! Ron got up on the table and started to speak about our purpose as educators. Did you know that our country is 27th in the world in education? I sure didn't, and I have to admit, I shrunk back a little when hearing this. This statistic is downright embarrassing, seeing that we have some of the most advanced resources and materials at our fingertips. Within the first 15 minutes of being at RCA, I already felt more inspired. Ron told us that he didn't care what it was we did, but that we sure had to do something! I've got a lot of "somethings" on my to-do list after this visit! :)
The rest of the first day zoomed by way too fast. We heard from several of the teachers at the academy and got to observe THE most spectacular classroom environments I've ever seen. I honestly thought that since this school is private and has hundreds of applicants each year, there would be no behavior issues and that only the cream of the crop would be accepted. This was absolutely not the case! While traveling around and witnessing pure magic in each classroom, we also saw the same pre-teen angst and drama that happens in our own school. It was comforting to see the teachers have to handle the eye-rolling and rule-breaking just like we do. They are a real school, with real students, and real teachers.
One of the most amazing things about these students is that before they learn to be outstanding scholars, they are taught to be incredible people. They offer their chairs to guests, pick up after one another without complaining, sit up straight in their classes, hold articulate and professional conversations, have firm handshakes, and have an incredible will to succeed and thrive. These kids don't come to RCA this way though. While we got to see them in May, in September, they came into a brand new school with new rules and expectations and with 35 other students joining the 5th grade class. One of the boys told me that the first week was like boot camp! He said that they work so hard and push themselves so much in that first week because that's when they learn the RCA way. Imagine how much of a difference we could make in our students if we started off by setting high expectations and not accepting anything less.
After an amazing first day, our last step before going home to get some rest was to be slide certified! While zooming through the electric blue slide, I could hear the chanting and shouting students and teachers waiting at the end. When I tell you everything in this school is done with joy and enthusiasm, I really mean it. Becoming slide certified meant that we became part of this revolution of teachers that want more. I'm done with the "stuff." Like Ron Clark said, it's about time that we make our profession "young, sexy, and fun" again! So many of our kids get lost in the data and the test scores and the small groups that we forget that we're teaching people and not numbers or statistics. If we don't love what we're doing, then we're sure not going to do it well. It broke my heart to hear stories of teachers from around the country who work with a building full of walkers and riders who are not taking initiative and who might not even like working with children. Let me just tell you, if that's your case, what in the heck are you doing in this career? We cannot teach children if we don't love them and treat them as the respectable people we want them to become.
The second day began with a fiery pep rally and performance by the award-winning step team! No better way to amp up the excitement before we broke off into our groups. We got to observe more incredible classrooms and hear from many purposeful speakers. Adam Dovico is one of the most entertaining people I've seen. You can't take your eyes away from Susan Barnes as she leads you in a poetry jazz art class. Brandon Fleming pushes his kids to extraordinary heights. Daniel Thompson teaches science in the most engaging and creative way. And Wade King has a drum set in the middle of his classroom, so how could you not love him?! Not one of the teachers at RCA has the same style. Each is different in their own way, but they all have the students in common.
And let me just tell you that I think Hope King is my spirit animal. She deserves her own post, so be looking for that in the summer after I attend her conference, Get Your Teach On! It is so clear that she means business in the most fun and exhilarating way. I was fully engaged the entire time I was in her Alice in Wonderland classroom. She brings you into a lesson and holds your attention with enthusiastic hand motions, chants, and energy. She is contagious! She also knows how to get rid of the muss and fuss. I loved being able to see how she handles discipline problems.
When I was eating lunch with the students on the last day, I asked one of the 5th graders what I should tell my kids when I got home to Dallas and he replied with, "the only thing to fear is fear itself. Now I didn't make that up but I think Mr. Roosevelt and I are pretty smart people." Amen!
When someone asked me what my biggest takeaway from RCA was, I told them that I couldn't narrow it to just one thing. I was lucky enough to spend 2 days in the most passionate and special school and witness absolute magic. It gave me hope that if we start small, get rid of the "stuff," and focus on teaching these kids in fierce and creative ways, we just might move mountains. So much is possible with fearlessness and a lot of love. We just have to run for it.
Through Faith in Him and the Fifth,
Meg