CLARK, Ron(ald) 1972(?)-

PERSONAL: Born c. 1972. Education: East Carolina University, B.A., 1994.

ADDRESSES: Agent—c/o Author Mail, Hyperion, 77 West 66th St., 11th Floor, New York, NY 10023.

CAREER: Teacher and writer.

AWARDS, HONORS: Disney Teacher of the Year Award, 2001.

WRITINGS:

The Essential 55: An Award-Winning Educator's Rules for Discovering the Successful Student in Every Child, Hyperion (New York, NY), 2003.

SIDELIGHTS: Ron Clark is the winner of the 2001 Walt Disney Teacher of the Year Award. He has been interviewed by countless journalists, including Oprah Winfrey, Rosie O'Donnell, and Katie Couric. He has also been honored at the White House by President and Mrs. Clinton. Clark felt that he had a calling to teach in Harlem and so he went. He helped insprire the kids that he taught there and helped raise their test scores. According to the author Web site, his dream is to start his own school for disadvantaged children. His first book, The Essential 55: An Award-Winning Educator's Rules for Discovering the Successful Student in Every Child, is a New York Times best-seller and features "rules" or lessons for every student. Clark considers The Essential 55 "guidelines for living and interacting with others." In an article for the Teachers.net Gazette, Clark stated, "Once I became a teacher, it became evident to me that many children aren't exposed to the type of guidance and opportunities that I had when I was growing up. I have tried to set an example for my students." The Essential 55 features such advice as "Be the best person you can be"; "Say thank you within three seconds of receiving something"; and "Make eye contact."

BIOGRAPHICAL AND CRITICAL SOURCES:

PERIODICALS

Library Journal, May 1, 2003, Scott Walter, review of The Essential 55: An Award-Winning Educator's Rules for Discovering the Successful Student in Every Child, p. 132.

ONLINE

Ron Clark Home Page,http://www.ronclark.info (October 26, 2003).

Teachers.net Gazette,http://www.teachers.net/gazette/ (July, 2003), "Teacher Feature: Ron Clark," excerpt from The Essential 55.*