At Ellis Middle School in Hendersonville, students aren’t just learning math and science, they’re learning how to shake hands, hold conversations, and speak with confidence.

Under the leadership of Principal Dr. Heather Whitaker, the school has embraced the nationally recognized Ron Clark Academy’s Amazing Shake Program, creating a culture where character, communication, and confidence are celebrated alongside academics.

Founded in 2007 in Atlanta, Georgia, the Ron Clark Academy (RCA) is famous for its vibrant teaching style and focus on leadership and life skills. Utilizing this model, each student at Ellis belongs to one of several “houses,” which serve as smaller communities within the school. Houses earn points for teamwork, kindness, and achievement, and fostering school spirit while teaching students the power of collaboration and character.

Dr. Whitaker says Ellis Middle adopted the model about five years ago and it has transformed the school’s culture. The structure of the program was intentionally designed to build skills such as making eye contact, engaging in conversation, turning and returning the question, collaborating, and exiting discussions gracefully – all skills many adults assume students already know, but often don’t practice in structured ways.

“We started reinforcing those skills with the houses, building teams and communities around it,” explains Dr. Whitaker. “We wanted to recognize when students are doing well and help them build the interpersonal and professional skills they’ll need for life beyond the classroom.”

Working within the guidelines of the Amazing Shake, Ellis Middle School created a series of events designed to help students practice these real-world skills in fun, engaging ways:

• Round 1: Work the Room – Students circulate among community members, greeting and engaging in conversation as if in a professional networking event. This year, the focus was on gracefully exiting conversations.
• Round 2: Circle of Doom – In a circle of judges, students have 60 seconds to introduce themselves and answer thought-provoking questions, such as whether social-media influencers should be responsible for the products they promote. Immediate feedback helps them improve before the next round.
• Round 3: The Gauntlet – Students role-play real-life scenarios such as an unwanted gift or handling a mix-up at an award ceremony, learning to stay composed and positive in the process.
• Round 4: Debate – Small groups debate current topics, emphasizing respect, receiving listening, and the ability to disagree thoughtfully.
• Round 5: Out to Lunch – The final challenge places students in a formal lunch setting with community members, where they practice conversation and etiquette in a professional environment.

Students are scored during each challenge, with the top students moving on to represent Ellis Middle at the Ron Clark Academy Global Competition in Atlanta, joining roughly 1,000 participants from around the world. Seven local sponsors have stepped forward to cover students’ travel and registration costs.

Ellis Middle’s initiative highlights the growing importance of teaching social and professional skills alongside academics. By combining competition with collaboration, students learn to communicate clearly, handle pressure gracefully, and respect differing opinions while having fun in the process. Together, these activities prepare students not only for future job interviews and presentations but also for daily interactions that require courtesy, patience, and understanding. 

Additionally, the Amazing Shake program strengthens school unity, as houses celebrate one another’s successes and work together toward shared goals.

With plans to send finalists to Atlanta and continue expanding the program, Dr. Whitaker is building students’ momentum for the future while helping them grow into poised, capable young leaders. 

“We’re not just teaching academics,” she says. “We’re teaching life.”