Feel-Good Friday: A Student's Joyful Graduation Dance With One of the School's Founders Goes Viral
Share this @internewscast.com

I’ve always admired innovative educators, especially when portrayed in films like “Goodbye, Mr. Chips,” “Lean on Me,” “Music of My Heart,” “Stand and Deliver,” “Dangerous Minds,” and “Mr. Holland’s Opus.” These characters, often based on real-life teachers, make a significant impact by bringing joy and a fresh perspective to learning, while emphasizing that discipline and hard work are essential in life.

Ron Clark, co-founder of The Ron Clark Academy in Atlanta, is one such real-life educator, and the subject of this week’s Feel-Good Friday. 

Ron Clark began his career as a teacher in North Carolina, driven by a desire to educate students, particularly those deemed underperformers. He left a secure job at a middle school to teach in New York’s inner city. His unconventional teaching techniques captivated his students and achieved results that embarrassed the Department of Education—not that it’s a difficult feat. In 2000, Clark, along with fellow educational innovator Kim Bearden, received the Teacher of the Year award.

Clark and Bearden shared a bigger vision, leading them to collaborate on creating an educational center for grades 4-8. This center aimed not just to benefit kids, but also teachers eager to transform their teaching approaches. The dream of the Ron Clark Academy began in 2004, with a building purchased in 2005, and the Academy welcoming its inaugural class in 2007.

Oh, and Clark has also had his life and teaching dramatized on film: Clark was portrayed by the late Matthew Perry (“Chandler Bing” from “Friends”) in 2006’s “The Ron Clark Story.”

But this 2025 graduation season, a moment between Clark and one of the Academy’s graduating students has gone viral:

In the video, posted to Clark’s Instagram account, Zyon Malcolm, a graduating 8th grader, made her way across the stage dancing to a popular song. She was met by Clark who immediately fell in step with Malcolm. Clark broke out into his own energetic dance before handing Malcolm her diploma.

WATCH:

                                                     

The Clark Academy’s model includes eccentricity, energy, and probably lots of standout musical moments. However, just because the school’s structure is unorthodox does not mean that it is undisciplined. Clark sets high expectations for himself, and this translates to high expectations for the entire school community. Clark’s system of rules is known as “The Essential 55,” and these were published as a book.

Clark further explained to TODAY:

“My grandmother raised me very strictly, so I am strict,” he says. “A lot of people see me dance with students … but I am not playing when it comes to academia.”

Clark is also intent on his students learning social skills, something that is sorely lacking in our society today. When visitors come to the school, they are asked to have lunch with the students in order to assist them in this process.

But another hallmark, and the reason why parents of all stripes clamor to have their children accepted at Clark Academy, is how each student is loved and seen. This was apparent in the 2025 graduates.  

And with alums from Clark Academy, who are now graduating high school in the Class of 2025.

Here’s another fun social media moment: In 2018, a Clark Academy student’s spontaneous, joyful dance was captured when it was announced they would be seeing “Black Panther” in the theater. That young man has graduated from Therrell High School as part of the class of 2025.

Engaging and passionate instructors are worth their weight in gold. Our public educational system has been obsessed with indoctrination and activism rather than infusing the power of achievement, accomplishment, and the pure joy of simply learning. Thank God for schools like The Ron Clark Academy, but more importantly, thank God that Ron Clark wants to replicate his methods and pass them down to other educators so that they can revolutionize, innovate, and change a young person’s outcomes, and in turn, change their life.

Here’s the school’s viral story. Eleven minutes and well worth your time.

WATCH:

   

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Trial day 2 explores evidence in Prince Holland case

Second Day of Hearings Delves into Prince Holland Case Evidence

Jurors were shown of crime scene photos, walked through bullet-ridden evidence and…
UK synagogue attack and Hamas hostage crisis underscore deadly Yom Kippur

Deadly Yom Kippur Marked by UK Synagogue Attack and Hamas Hostage Crisis

The ongoing menace of antisemitism was tragically highlighted on Thursday when two…
President Donald Trump pauses $2.1B for Chicago infrastructure projects, leveraging shutdown to pressure Democrats

Trump Halts $2.1 Billion for Chicago Infrastructure, Using Shutdown to Sway Democrats

CHICAGO — White House budget director Russ Vought announced that the Trump…
Texas sheriff arrested by his own deputies, now faces new charge for lying to grand jury

Texas Sheriff Arrested by Own Deputies, Now Charged with Lying to Grand Jury

A Texas sheriff, previously taken into custody and detained in his own…
Prince William gives rare Kate Middleton cancer update in vulnerable talk with Eugene Levy

Prince William Shares Heartfelt Update on Kate Middleton’s Cancer Journey in Candid Conversation with Eugene Levy

Prince William provides a rare update on his wife, Kate Middleton, after…
Russian leader responds to American conservative's murder: 'A disgusting atrocity'

Russian President Condemns the Killing of U.S Conservative: ‘Appalling Act’

Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed his views on Thursday, describing the assassination…
courtroom drawing of Sean "Diddy" Combs blowing kisses to people in the audience

Diddy Scheduled for Sentencing on Friday for Charges Linked to Prostitution

(NewsNation) — Sean “Diddy” Combs is scheduled to receive his sentence from…
Police investigating homicide after victim dies following shooting in Birmingham

Police Investigate Homicide After Shooting Victim Dies in Birmingham

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) — The Birmingham Police Department is actively investigating a…
Tim Allen puts things in 'reverse' for season debut of ABC's 'Shifting Gears,' invites some special visitors from his TV past

Tim Allen Rewinds for ABC’s ‘Shifting Gears’ Season Premiere, Welcomes Special Guests from Past TV Shows

BURBANK, Calif. — “Shifting Gears” is revving up for its second season.…
Tennessee set to execute first woman in more than two centuries

Tennessee to Execute First Woman in Over 200 Years

Tennessee is set to execute a woman for the first time in…
Prosecutors seek 97 years for teen who shot dead sister-in-law, 2 young nephews

Teens Faces 97-Year Sentence for Killing Sister-in-Law and Two Nephews

Prosecutors in New Hampshire will tell a judge Friday that a teenager…
Chef killed in carjacking outside daycare while picking up child

Chef Fatally Attacked During Carjacking While Collecting Child from Daycare

“He loved cooking, he loved making people happy. But more than anything,…