Ron Clark, Oprah Winfrey and me

Below is a video of Ron Clark's students performing their new song, "Dear Obama," for Oprah Winfrey. It opens up with Ron telling a story about how he received a check for $365,000 from Oprah on Christmas Eve. (Oprah's been a big fan of Ron Clark since he was on her show a few years back.) As a way to thank her (one of Obama's major supporters), the kids recorded themselves singing this song.

So what does this have to do with me? This Wednesday, I will be sitting IN THIS MAN'S CLASSROOM, WATCHING HIM TEACH THESE STUDENTS. That's right, my long-awaited trip to Atlanta is coming up. Me and 3 other teachers are leaving on Tuesday and flying back on Thursday. It'll be a short trip but probably one of the most meaningful and significant of my life. Maybe you have to be a teacher to really understand, or maybe you guys can fully understand why this means so much to me. It hasn't really "hit" me yet, to be honest, and it may not until I'm actually at his school, talking to the kids and--OH MY GOD--with him. Expect a full report on Thursday night.

Anyway...enjoy the video. I know it won't reflect many of your political views, but I know you will still appreciate what he's doing with these students. He's an inspiration, and in just a few short days, I'll be able to tell him so myself.