Lauded educator inspires Burton School District staff

Ron Clark Academy co-founder and teacher Kim Bearden headlined the annual Burton School District “Welcome Back Breakfast” on Wednesday, sharing personal anecdotes from her career as a teacher and time as a student to motivate the assembled staff and faculty for the upcoming 2009-2010 school year.

The breakfast traditionally takes place each year to kick-off staff development day.

Ron Clark Academy, a private, nonprofit Atlanta-based middle school garnered national recognition during the presidential election when its students were featured on CNN performing a parody of the popular song “Whatever You Like” by rapper T.I. that emphasized the importance of voting.

Superintendent Gary Mekeel said feedback so far concerning Bearden’s speech has been overwhelmingly positive.

“There were a few comments about this being one of the best opening day speakers we’ve had in a long time,” he said.

In the face of looming budget cuts, district officials were able to invite Bearden thanks to support from Tulare County Credit Union and a previous connection with the Ron Clark Academy. Bearden’s co-founder, for whom the academy is named, was Burton School District’s featured speaker two years ago.

“It is important to show our teachers how important they are to us, even if it means tightening our belts,” Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum Sharon Kamberg said.

Jim Maples Academy Principal Jean Miller said teachers look forward each year to the featured guest, and appreciate how they are inspired by the speech.

“If we could all care so much about education, what a different world we would be living in today,” Miller said.

Mekeel said faculty at Oak Grove Elementary School were impressed by the way Bearden’s message of child-centered teaching complemented the training they had planned for the day.

Oak Grove Principal Treasure Weisenberger called Bearden “engaging, energetic and inspirational.”

“She presented a wonderful message about building positive relationships with students,” she said.

Bearden’s optimistic and passionate speech focused on the importance of a teacher’s influence in the lives of students.

She mentioned multiple times that teaching is a unique profession in that each year is a chance to improve on last year’s results.

“If you haven’t been the teacher you want to be in the past, you get a ‘do-over’ this year,” Bearden promised.

After Bearden’s speech, Director of Human Resources Debbie Estrada honored 18 teachers who had received tenure and introduced 21 new staff members.

Kamberg said she was pleased by the turnout at the event.

“Our main focus this year is to really focus on the value that all kids can succeed,” she said. “Sometimes it’s hard to keep that in mind in the testing age.”

Miller concurred. She said building bonds with students is the key to success.

“It is about the kids and connecting with them,” Miller said. “If we can do that well, learning takes place.”

-- Contact Sarah de Crescenzo at 784-5000, Ext. 1045, or sdecrescenzo@portervillerecorder.com.