With a significant investment from Huntington National Bank, 111 educators from Columbus City Schools are set to experience a different kind of professional development this summer—courtesy of scholarships to the Ron Clark Academy (RCA) in Atlanta, Georgia. Established for its unique and dynamic approach to learning, the RCA hosts educators for immersive training aimed at revitalizing classroom engagement and instruction. Deputy Superintendent of Columbus City Schools, Kathryn Moser, expressed gratitude for supporting local partnerships, which make these opportunities possible. "We are very thankful for the strong partnerships we have with so many of our partners in Central Ohio. Huntington National Bank is incredibly generous in hosting an event like this tonight," Moser said, as reported by Columbus City Schools' official website.
Last year, educators who participated in the RCA program, such as Erin Ottobre from World Language Middle School, returned with actionable strategies that have since begun to reshape the learning environment at their respective schools. Starting this month, Ottobre's school is rolling out new RCA-inspired practices to boost student engagement and maintain high expectations. "Huntington is trying to change the way education looks for many of our kids," Ottobre told Columbus City Schools in a statement that captures the transformative vision of the initiative.
The partnership between Huntington National Bank and the Ron Clark Academy coalesces around the Ignite the Classroom program, supporting educators nationwide. Brant Standridge, Senior Executive Vice President and President of Consumer and Regional Banking, emphasizes investing in educator training as a linchpin for long-term community prosperity. "This investment in educators is an investment in the future of our students, and ultimately, in the success of the next generation of leaders," Standridge remarked, as noted by the Columbus City Schools website.
This summer's cohort of educators is poised to bring back a fresh trove of teaching methodologies to their classrooms, perpetuating an ethos of inspired and inclusive education within the District. The legacy of the Academy's approach—where learning is not only a rigorous pursuit but also an enjoyable and highly interactive one—is likely to make a sizable dent in the traditional classroom dynamic. The educators anticipate the impact of this initiative will spill over into the broader school culture, creating ripples of positive change for years to come.
