Redford Union teachers describe Ron Clark Academy strategies; district expands house system and adds classroom stages

Teachers and district staff described changes they say are already shifting classroom culture after returning from professional development at the Ron Clark Academy, and district leaders reported how donated classroom stages and sound systems are being deployed across Redford Union Schools.

Educators who attended the Ron Clark Academy (RCA) trip told the Redford Union Schools District No. 1 Board of Education that simple routines and atmosphere changes at RCA — summarized by the trip’s recurring phrase “1% better” — have been adapted to classrooms and schoolwide systems. Carrie Kuka, an ELA teacher at Redford Union Junior High School, said the visit influenced how staff present lessons and build student engagement. “I was spirited from head to toe in my house,” Kuka said, describing the energy teachers brought back to the building.

Why it matters: board members and teachers said the practices support social-emotional learning, consistent expectations across grades and increased student engagement. Staff described a “house system” that groups students across grade levels into teams, friendly competitions and common language for behavior and transitions as tools they will use to strengthen climate and belonging.

Teachers gave specific classroom examples. Maggie Faulkner, a second-grade teacher at Hilbert, said the new stage and sound system in her classroom changed participation: “The stage has transformed my room. It gives lessons extra energy.” Multiple presenters described practical techniques — eye contact drills, morning boot-camp routines for new students, use of class “houses” to assign points for behavior and leadership — and said they will align those practices with the district’s PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports) and social-emotional goals.

District leaders announced how those classroom tools were funded and deployed. Superintendent Jason Witt said 12 stages and sound systems are now in use across the district — five at the junior high and seven at Hilbert — and that the equipment “were donated through a generous donation of $30,000 to the district from the Maybach Family Foundation.” Witt also credited Huntington Bank and the Ballmer Group as partners who helped make the RCA opportunities possible.

Implementation and scope: staff said Hilbert will expand its house system to include all grades on Sept. 19 (year not specified in the record). Beach Elementary will launch a house program for grades 4–6 this year with plans to expand. Teachers said the house system involves sorting students into four houses — friendship, givers, courage and dreamers — and holding house meetings and competitions. Early indicators described by staff included increased student enthusiasm, cross-grade mentoring and a sunflower garden created by paired students.

Board discussion stressed that the house system’s effects could carry into later grades if sustained over time. Several board members praised the teachers who attended RCA and asked administration to provide photos and, where possible, video of stages and sound systems in use.

Ending: The presentation closed with board members thanking staff and district leaders for securing the donation and for the RCA professional development. Administrators said they will provide photos of the stages and the RCA materials the board requested, and they signaled continued rollout of the house system across elementary and middle school buildings.