Huntington Bank Awards 40 HPS Educators a Year-Long Development Experience and Trip to Atlanta!

The Ignite the Classroom program delivers high‑impact training designed to help educators elevate instruction, boost student engagement and build stronger pathways to future career success.

This marks the first West Michigan cohort to join the initiative, which includes educators from Kentwood, Grand Rapids and Grandville Public Schools, and Grand Valley State University Charter Schools. 

Throughout the upcoming school year, they will take part in a series of workshops, coaching sessions and classroom‑ready development experiences aimed at strengthening instruction and improving student outcomes.

“Educators shape the foundation of our future workforce and play a critical role in the long‑term growth and strength of our region. By bringing Ignite the Classroom to these local school districts, we are investing in the people and systems that help students build the skills, confidence and readiness needed for success beyond the classroom. Strengthening the talent pipeline starts with supporting educators, and this program reflects our ongoing commitment to student success and the communities we serve.”   Lauren Davis, Greater Michigan Regional President, Huntington Bank.

A signature feature of Ignite the Classroom is a summer immersion experience at the Ron Clark Academy in Atlanta, a nationally acclaimed nonprofit middle school known for its innovative approach to teaching and its commitment to academic excellence. During their RCA experience, educators will learn dynamic instructional practices and leadership strategies they can bring back to their local school districts and classrooms.

Since its launch in 2024, Ignite the Classroom has engaged nearly 2,300 educators across 40 school districts. Following the program, 44% of teachers whose students had standardized test scores in the bottom quartile reported an improvement the year after participating in Ignite the Classroom, and 45% of educators with an extreme student chronic absentee issue reported improvements. Additionally, more than 90% of participants report that their academic expectations of students improved after the experience.

West Michigan educators are able to participate in this program at no cost through contributions from Huntington and support from regional partners including Meijer; Grand Valley State University; Daniel & Pamella DeVos Foundation; Haworth Helps, a corporate giving fund of Haworth, Inc.; Community Foundation Holland/Zeeland; MillerKnoll; Amway; Wege Foundation; John and Nancy Kennedy; and Custer, Inc.

“Haworth is proud to serve as the Anchor Sponsor of the Holland Public Schools Ignite the Classroom cohort. Our family’s connection to Holland Public Schools spans four generations—beginning with Grandpa Haworth’s work as a woodshop teacher and continuing through the education of my own three children. We strongly believe in educational choice—the ability for every family to select the path that best meets their needs. For our family, that choice has consistently been Holland Public Schools.” Chairman Matthew Haworth of Haworth, Inc.