Monday, June 15, 2015
Last day
The last day arrived and I didn't want it to end but it had too. The conference ended with breakfast and key note speakers at the hotel. I was really moved by Kim Beards'(Co-Founder of RCA) story and received more great ideas from the Hopes. I was already thinking of ways to put what I had seen in the last three days into my classroom and better yet how to get going at my school as well. I know many won't get on board but I am certainly on board in better the learning environment
with my students as well as better my teaching to reach ALL students and to hold them to High Expectations. Thank you Ron and Kim for helping me Dream Big and Believing that I matter. I will never forget the experience you and your RCA family gave to me.
Day 2....Trip of a life time
Day 2 started early. The group was broken into two groups that would arrive at different times and then rotate through a schedule. We were greeted by ALL of the students and staff of RCA. Students took our hands and brought us into the main hall of the school (Where the famous slide is). Music was playing and students were dancing, singing, and playing instruments. Ron broke my group into smaller groups. We were taken to the room where we would start our day "Wonderland" was my room. Breakfast was waiting for us and students sat with us. They engaged us into conversations about ourselves and themselves as we ate with them.
Then our group was taken to the gym to see the students perform in their musical. These students wrote, directed, and choreographed the show. The did it 3 days. The musically was skits of different shows but with the RCA twist.
The day continued with visiting each teacher's classroom. We got to see the teachers in action and in their elements. I loved how the Blues can be used in the classroom to creating the right learning environment for learning. Lunch with also with students greeting us and having conversations that were thought provoking. The one young man I was talking with was an 8th grader and would be attending a boarding school in Tennessee soon. What an opportunity for him. My mom hat came on and I was wondering how his mom felt about him going to a school so far away from home. He just explained about the opportunity she wanted him to have. And that is right. I give that as well to my sons even though I may not want them to be away from me. My last stop of the afternoon was Ron's classroom. My dream was coming true....getting to see him teach. His students were amazing. I was blown away by how they respected each other, how they questioned and answered questions. And even getting to see one student teach to the others. One of the best ways for students to remember and learn is to teach it themselves. I wanted it to last!!
Then the time CAME to become Slide certified!!!!!. Each one of us left his classroom to the slide. Music can be heard coming up the stairs to us. Each one of us took our turns down the slide. That slide is there to represent "taking the path less traveled and not following others" and it also to me changed me forever. I will have that memory forever and remember to be the very best teacher I can be for my students.
The evening events were about to start. The tacky Prom. When I arrived back at the hotel I had a very nice meal at one of the hotel's restaurants. Then got ready. This butterfly was ready.
I danced and made new friends that night. I went out of my comfort zone too lol. As I laid my head down to sleep, I still couldn't turn off my thoughts of the day.
Then our group was taken to the gym to see the students perform in their musical. These students wrote, directed, and choreographed the show. The did it 3 days. The musically was skits of different shows but with the RCA twist.
The day continued with visiting each teacher's classroom. We got to see the teachers in action and in their elements. I loved how the Blues can be used in the classroom to creating the right learning environment for learning. Lunch with also with students greeting us and having conversations that were thought provoking. The one young man I was talking with was an 8th grader and would be attending a boarding school in Tennessee soon. What an opportunity for him. My mom hat came on and I was wondering how his mom felt about him going to a school so far away from home. He just explained about the opportunity she wanted him to have. And that is right. I give that as well to my sons even though I may not want them to be away from me. My last stop of the afternoon was Ron's classroom. My dream was coming true....getting to see him teach. His students were amazing. I was blown away by how they respected each other, how they questioned and answered questions. And even getting to see one student teach to the others. One of the best ways for students to remember and learn is to teach it themselves. I wanted it to last!!
The evening events were about to start. The tacky Prom. When I arrived back at the hotel I had a very nice meal at one of the hotel's restaurants. Then got ready. This butterfly was ready.
Trip of a Life Time
I had the amazing honor to see my ideal speak at my son's school in February of this year. He told us his journey on how he came to where he is at now. Something he said hit me with real meaning. He said "If you have a dream, you should just do it" I thought about that all day after hearing him speak. I decided to follow his advice.
It has been my dream to see him teach at his school. Ron Clark has been someone I have admire as a teacher. I logged into his site and then proceeded to follow my dreams. I enrolled to attend the National educators Conference at the Ron Clark Academy in Atlanta Georgia. I by chance had money left over from my tax return so I thought What the hell Let's do this. I prepared for my trip. I research the town and the school more.
June 5th I boarded the plane for my trip to RCA. It has been a long time since I was on a plane and I have never gone some where alone but I was prepared and ready for this adventure. After landing, I made my way to the Metro train. I was a little scared I would miss my stop and get lost but I made it. Walking to my hotel I was taking in the sights. Time was running short until the conference started. FYI for later plan longer time when relying on public transportation. I went from plane, to train, to hotel then checked into my room, dropped my bags checked my hair and made my way downstairs to check into the conference. Then boarded the bus to begin my tour of the school. When we arrived, Ron greeted us with his enthusiasm and smiles.
As soon as we stepped off of the bus, we were greeted with so much excitement, smiles, and amazing students and staff from RCA. Our tour began in the library. This library has a trampoline. Students were greeting us and having such great conversations. I was in ahhhhh.
We were had a student tour guide. He took my group around the school telling us facts about this and that about the school and him. Your senses are in overload drive. I was taking it all in, the sites and the sounds. Day one ended with a concert. They really rocked the classics and current hit songs. Cocktails and apps were served and we were welcomed to walk around the school more.
Introduction of the teacher and staff by Ron himself. He spoke to us.
Even the bathrooms are decorated in different themes. This is one of them.
I couldn't sleep once I arrived back in my room. My mind was just rolling with all the things I witnessed and saw that evening. I was looking forward to Day 2. Day 2 was going to be workshops with the teachers in their classrooms.
It has been my dream to see him teach at his school. Ron Clark has been someone I have admire as a teacher. I logged into his site and then proceeded to follow my dreams. I enrolled to attend the National educators Conference at the Ron Clark Academy in Atlanta Georgia. I by chance had money left over from my tax return so I thought What the hell Let's do this. I prepared for my trip. I research the town and the school more.
June 5th I boarded the plane for my trip to RCA. It has been a long time since I was on a plane and I have never gone some where alone but I was prepared and ready for this adventure. After landing, I made my way to the Metro train. I was a little scared I would miss my stop and get lost but I made it. Walking to my hotel I was taking in the sights. Time was running short until the conference started. FYI for later plan longer time when relying on public transportation. I went from plane, to train, to hotel then checked into my room, dropped my bags checked my hair and made my way downstairs to check into the conference. Then boarded the bus to begin my tour of the school. When we arrived, Ron greeted us with his enthusiasm and smiles.
As soon as we stepped off of the bus, we were greeted with so much excitement, smiles, and amazing students and staff from RCA. Our tour began in the library. This library has a trampoline. Students were greeting us and having such great conversations. I was in ahhhhh.
We were had a student tour guide. He took my group around the school telling us facts about this and that about the school and him. Your senses are in overload drive. I was taking it all in, the sites and the sounds. Day one ended with a concert. They really rocked the classics and current hit songs. Cocktails and apps were served and we were welcomed to walk around the school more.
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