Ron Clark Academy Visits UGA

As a way to celebrate Black history month and the desegregation of UGA, the Holmes/Hunter Lecture Series was established in 1985 to honor Dr. Hamilton Holmes and Charlayne Hunter-Gault--the first black students enrolled at UGA in 1961. This year "America's Educator", Ron Clark--the founder of the Ron Clark Academy in inner-city Atlanta, Georgia--was the invited speaker. As he jumped around stage (literally...that man has a lot of energy), he told stories of how education, through innovative teaching strategies such as jumping up on the desks and singing and dancing, can actually inspire and push children to excel. Yes, he is the white privileged man jumping in the right corner of this blog entry; whereas most of the students at his school are African American children. He acknowledged his "white privilege" and how this privilege can be used to carefully open doors for children that are less fortunate. He not only brought the audience to laughter and tears, but he also brought along his 8th grade class who have become superstars for their presidential campaign song "You can vote however you like" (see video below). I am not going to lie...at first sight I was like this white man is pimping out those children for media hype. But, after listening to his talk and researching the Academy I think the South could use a few more Ron Clarks!