Huntington’s Ignite the Classroom initiative, a year-long professional development experience delivered in partnership with the nationally recognized Ron Clark Academy (RCA), exemplifies investment in workforce development at its earliest stages.
Huntington hosts local events featuring famed educator Ron Clark and provides scholarships for teachers to attend immersive training at RCA, where educators gain tools, insights and proven instructional models that support academic excellence and student engagement. The teachers then bring these strategies back to their classrooms and home school districts.
This initiative has already reached thousands of educators across Huntington’s footprint and impacted dozens of schools. More than 1,000 Detroit-area educators have participated in the program since its launch. Joining Detroit this summer, 250 West Michigan and Great Lakes Bay region educators will experience RCA for the first time.
Since Huntington launched the program, more than 2,300 educators from 40+ school districts have participated in the full experience nationally.
“Ignite the Classroom provides our world-class Midland educators with a great opportunity to sharpen their skills and bring new energy to their classrooms,” said Dr. Ken Weaver, associate superintendent of curriculum, instruction and assessment for Midland Public Schools. “Thank you to Huntington Bank and all the partners involved for investing in our teachers and helping us to foster supportive, engaging learning environments for every student.”
The program has provided our educators with meaningful, practical strategies that translate directly into classroom practice,” said Dr. Jennifer Martin-Green, superintendent of Southfield Public Schools. “We have seen a noticeable shift in instructional approaches, particularly in student engagement, the intentional use of innovative tools, and a stronger emphasis on student-centered learning. Teachers are not only more confident in implementing new strategies, but they are also collaborating more effectively to sustain that growth.”
West Michigan educators celebrate the scholarship announcement
Ron Clark recognizes educators from the Great Lakes Bay region
Educators attend the Ron Clark Academy in Atlanta for a professional development learning experience
