Ron Clark speaks at the City Club of Cleveland. 

I hope to paint you a picture of the exhilarating experience I had photographing Ron Clark at the City Club of Cleveland. It was like trying to capture a live-action movie scene! Ron didn't just stay on stage—he broke all the rules of public speaking engagement and dashed straight into the audience. Yes, you heard me right. He literally ran around, weaving between tables and engaging people like he was at a high-energy game show.

As a seasoned event photographer, I've seen my fair share of speakers. But never before had I witnessed someone so unabashedly interactive. It was as if the whole room became his stage, and every person there was part of his performance. I had to be quick on my feet (and with my camera) to keep up with his spontaneous antics.

And let's talk about his expressions! From animated gestures to expressions that ranged from sheer enthusiasm to heartfelt sincerity, Ron Clark was a photographer's dream. Every click of my camera captured the raw energy and passion he exuded.

It's no wonder his academy for teaching kids has been so successful. If he teaches with even a fraction of the dynamism and engagement he brought to that room, those kids are in for an educational journey unlike any other.

So, the next time I'm asked about photographing Ron Clark, I won't mention the technical challenges. I'll recount the thrill of capturing a man who turns a speaking engagement into a full-blown interactive adventure.

Ron Clark Academy

The City Club of Cleveland

Michaelangelos Photography

Here is what Ron Clark said during an interview. 

I never wanted to teach; all I wanted was an adventure-filled life. After college, I became a dance and singing waiter in London. I went to Greece and got stranded on a desert island for four days. Then I went to Romania and stayed with gypsies in Transylvania—they fed me rats, and I got sick, so I had to come home. I lived with my mom in Belhaven, North Carolina. She told me a teacher in her area had passed away and asked me if I'd be willing to finish out the school year for that teacher. I wasn't interested ... but I figured I'd attend the school. I was hooked! The next day, I started teaching fifth grade. From then on, it was like magic—I fell in love with teaching.

Five years later, I saw a program about a school in Harlem. It showed these students who, although intelligent, had extremely low test scores because the school couldn't attract good teachers. At that moment, I felt like it was a calling. The next day, I told my co-teacher, "I'm going to teach in Harlem." I packed up my car, drove to New York, and stayed at the YMCA. Every day, I went from school to school in Harlem, trying to find a school like the one I'd seen on TV. It was hard. I knew the calling I'd felt was strong enough that when I came to the right school, I'd know it.

 Whether in rural North Carolina or Harlem, the primary motivator is letting the kids know you care about them and are interested in their success. Sometimes, other motivators are needed, like jumping rope with them. When I first got to Harlem, jumping rope was the thing—all the kids were doing Double Dutch. So I tried it—I knew that if I could learn to do it, it would earn me points with them. It became a bonding experience because every day at lunch when the other teachers went to the teachers' lounge, I would spend time with the students and practice Double Dutch. When I finally got Double Dutch, it was a success for me and the kids.

My curriculum was based on what was happening in my student’s lives.
Through my curriculum, I tried to help them become complete individuals who love life. Using things they were already interested in made my job a lot easier.

I encourage students to be lifelong learners by modeling the behavior that I expect from them. For example, whenever I teach anything, whether math, science, or geography, I am excited about it! When the kids look at my face, they can tell I'm excited about it. Sometimes, I may not be ecstatic, but showing them the excitement you can have from learning is essential.

 My philosophy works because I'm sincere—my students know I mean what I say. They know everything I do is for them, and I'm giving it everything I've got. Some people say I'm crazy because I put so much effort into dealing with the kids. But when the kids see my effort, it makes them put forth more effort. They know I have high expectations for them.

If I had to name three of my characteristics, one of the top three would be creative. You have to be creative to be a good teacher because you can't do the same thing day after day.

If you can make long division exciting, you are one creative person!

Clark has written four books on education:

The Essential 55: An Award-Winning Educator's Rules for Discovering the Successful Student in Every Child (2003)^]

The Excellent 11: Qualities Teachers and Parents Use to Motivate, Inspire, and Educate Children (2005)

The End of Molasses Classes: Getting Our Kids Unstuck: 101 Extraordinary Solutions for Parents and Teachers (2011), listing solutions for parents and teacher.

Move Your Bus: An Extraordinary New Approach to Accelerating Success in Work and Life (2015), philosophy on types of employees/educators and how to motivate them

Clark proposed 55 essential rules for success in and out of the classroom, many focusing on respect and school policies. These include "Make eye contact, respect others' ideas and opinions, always be honest, and do not bring Doritos into the school building". He later proposed eleven traits of excellence: enthusiasm, adventure, creativity, reflection, balance, compassion, confidence, humor, common sense, appreciation, and resilience.

 Here is a little tid-bit on the Ron Clark Academy. 

The Ron Clark Academy (RCA) is a highly acclaimed, nonprofit middle school in Southeast Atlanta. The Academy has received both national and international recognition for its success for creating a loving, dynamic learning environment that promotes academic excellence and fosters leadership. Our 4th – 8th grade students represent various socio-economic and academic backgrounds and communities from across the metro region.

The Academy seeks to extend its reach beyond its student body by having an impact upon students everywhere. RCA is a demonstration school – a place where visiting educators engage in a vibrant professional development experience by observing best practices in action before participating in hands-on workshops. In the past 16 years, more than 100,000 superintendents, district level administrators, and teachers have participated in the RCA Experience to learn better ways to engage students, promote academic excellence, build relationships, and create a positive climate and culture.

And then there is the movie, yes, a movie made about Ron Clark.

"The Ron Clark Story" starring Matthew Perry is a unique blend of his comedic style from "Friends" and the inspirational theme of "Dead Poets Society," all set on an educational rollercoaster! Imagine Perry, known for his comedic timing on "Friends," stepping into the shoes of Ron Clark, an energetic teacher who moves more smoothly than Chandler Bing's one-liners.

In this 2006 TV movie, Perry brings his signature wit to the role, navigating the ups and downs of Clark's journey from a rural North Carolina school to the bustling classrooms of Harlem, New York. The transformation is as intriguing as Perry's attempt to teach algebra with as much charm as he delivered coffee orders at Central Perk—it's a hilarious yet heartwarming mix.

From using rap to teach math to transforming detention into a dance party, Perry's portrayal perfectly captures Clark's unorthodox methods. It's like watching Chandler Bing channel Robin Williams' spirit from "Dead Poets Society," but with a dash of that classic Perry humor.

Whether you're a fan of Perry's sitcom antics or you love a good underdog story, "The Ron Clark Story" serves up laughs, tears, and a lesson or two about the power of passion in teaching. It's a feel-good flick that proves sometimes the best way to reach kids is through a little laughter and a whole lot of heart.