Teachers feel it first. That slow drain of energy. The pressure to hit test scores. The feeling that school has turned into rows of desks and rules instead of curiosity and growth. Huntington Bank recognized the issue and took action.
Ignite the Classroom is not a quick grant or a feel-good campaign. It is a multi-year effort designed to transform the experience of teaching and the way learning occurs. Through a deep partnership with the Ron Clark Academy in Atlanta, Huntington is backing educators with training, funding, and long-term support. The goal is to help teachers bring excitement, structure, and leadership back into the classroom.
This program treats educators like professionals worth investing in. It gives them time to learn, space to try new ideas, and a community that sticks around. That approach is why Ignite the Classroom is gaining attention across school districts and cities.
Inside the 'Ignite the Classroom' Experience
Huntington Bank / IG / The heart of the program starts in Atlanta. Selected teachers and school leaders receive full scholarships to attend a two-day experience at the Ron Clark Academy.
Educators walk into authentic classrooms, not lecture-style conference rooms. They witness lessons live, noticing how dynamic teaching and well-defined expectations can thrive together.
RCA is renowned for its structured approach, student empowerment, and joyful learning. At RCA EXP, teachers don’t merely hear about these practices—they experience them. Sessions move at a lively pace, remain practical, and provide immediately usable strategies rather than abstract theories.
However, what makes Ignite the Classroom different is what happens after the trip. The program lasts a full year. Teachers join a cohort that meets online throughout the school year. RCA staff guide follow-up sessions, answer questions, and help solve real classroom problems. Later, cohorts meet again in their home cities to reconnect and share what worked.
Big Investment and Fast Growth
Ignite the Classroom is not small. Since launching in 2024, the program has grown at a rapid pace. Huntington Bank and its partners have committed serious funding to make sure access is wide and impact is real.
So far, total investment has reached $7.5 million. Huntington Bank contributed more than $2.8 million directly. An additional $4.6 million was raised from corporate partners, foundations, and individuals across participating regions. That level of backing enables the program to offer scholarships, training, and ongoing coaching without placing a burden on school budgets.
Huntington Bank / IG / Many teachers say that Ignite the Classroom brought back their love for teaching. Others say it helped them rethink how students move, speak, and lead in class.
The program started in five markets, including Columbus, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Detroit, and Pittsburgh. By 2025, it expanded into Minneapolis, Akron, Charlotte, and Charleston, West Virginia. Participation doubled in the second year. Nearly 1,500 educators received scholarships in 2025 alone.
In just two years, the program has reached nearly 2,300 educators across 40 school districts. Huntington aims to support more than 5,000 educators in the next two years.
Real Changes in Classrooms and School Culture
One school reported a 40% drop in chronic absenteeism after adopting strategies learned through the program. That shift brought back more than four million minutes of instruction for students. Teachers describe classrooms that feel alive. Students participate instead of zoning out.
To keep results honest, Huntington and the Ron Clark Academy hired KPMG to track outcomes. The firm is setting metrics to measure impact on educators, students, and entire districts. That focus on data helps ensure the program keeps improving and stays grounded in results.
