The Ron Clark Story

Ron Clark:
New York public schools are desperate for good teachers. Newspaper says they're begging for them. Dad, every year I tell my students to go for what they want in life - dream big, take risks. It's time I start living up to my own words.

Ron Clark:
Y'landa, good morning. Do you have a list of the public schools in Harlem?

Y'landa:
Sure I do, baby. [Y'landa hands him the phonebook]

Ron Clark:
Okay, thank you.

Y'landa:
What do you want school listings for?

Ron Clark:
I'm a teacher.

Y'landa:
And you wanna teach - up in Harlem?

Ron Clark:
Yes.

Y'landa:
Well then, honey, you're gonna need something else. Personal injury lawyers. [she flips through the phone book] Cause once your white behind goes on up in there they be carrying you back up the same way you went in. What kind of foolishness is this? Going on up there and all trying to teach? You know you ain't gonna...

Ron Clark:
Okay thank you.

Principal Turner:
I have an opening in grade 3. If your credentials check out...

Ron Clark:
You have an opening right here.

Principal Turner:
No. Last year this class went through six different teachers before Christmas.

Ron Clark:
Yes. Nobody wants them, and I do. So what's the problem?

Principal Turner:
Test scores are very important to me; it's how I keep my job.

Ron Clark:
I can start right now.

Principal Turner:
You can start on Monday.

Principal Turner:
These kids are at the bottom of the barrel.

Ron Clark:
Don't talk about them like that.

Principal Turner:
Now all I'm asking is for your students to pass.

Ron Clark:
Oh every one of my students will pass.

Principal Turner:
[inaudible, students commenting outside office] They can become someone else's problem.

Ron Clark:
The problem isn't the kids. It's not even what they can achieve. The problem is what you expect them to achieve. You are setting the bar here. Why? Set it up here! They can make it.

Principal Turner:
This community judges us by scores. Government funding judges us by scores. People who give me scores, they get my respect.

Ron Clark:
Okay good. In May, they'll all test at grade level.

Principal Turner:
[sighs] I don't see how that's possible.

Ron Clark:
Excuse me. Did I say grade level? I meant above grade level.

Ron Clark:
Hey Mr. Turner, this is fun!

Principal Turner:
You really think it appropriate to do this with the students?

Ron Clark:
Well, I'm certainly not gonna Double Dutch with you.

Marissa Vega:
You got a job!

Ron Clark:
Inner Harlem elementary. I'm gonna start meeting my kids tomorrow.

Marissa Vega:
You might wanna hold on to this. It may be your last meal.

Ron Clark:
Nah. They're gonna love me.

Shameika Wallace:
Go to hell!

Badriyah:
Everyone says we're losers, Mr Clark.

Ron Clark:
You - are not - losers.