Atlanta teacher to be inducted into the National Teachers Hall of Fame

Ron Clark Academy’s Dr. Valerie Camille Jones Ford joins the National Teachers Hall of Fame as the second Atlanta inductee, fourth from Georgia.

Georgia.

ATLANTA, GEORGIA—MAY 25, 2025 — Dr. Valerie Camille Jones Ford, Head of the Mathematics Department at Atlanta’s Ron Clark Academy (RCA), is set to be inducted into the National Teachers Hall of Fame (NTHF) as part of its 2025 class. Dr. Jones Ford is the second educator from Atlanta and the fourth from Georgia to be inducted into the National Teachers Hall of Fame.

“It is a tremendous honor to stand alongside so many extraordinary educators throughout America. This recognition is not only a profound professional privilege but a representation of the passion, sacrifice, and brilliance of teachers everywhere,” Dr. Jones Ford said. “I’m grateful for the colleagues who’ve inspired me, the students who’ve trusted me, and the opportunity to be part of a profession that changes lives every day.”

Established in 1989, the Hall of Fame honors career teachers from public, private, and parochial schools across the country. To be eligible, nominees must have at least 20 years of full-time classroom teaching and go through a rigorous selection process including essays, recommendations, and interviews.

Dr. Jones Ford will be inducted alongside four other distinguished educators:

• Michael Dunlea III, a fifth-grade teacher from Tabernacle, New Jersey
• Tom Jenkins, a retired STEM and science teacher from Enon, Ohio
• Michelle Pearson, a social studies teacher from Thornton, Colorado
• Dr. Pascale Creek Pinner, an eighth-grade science teacher from Hilo, Hawaii

With over 25 years of experience in education, Dr. Jones Ford is an award-winning mathematics educator, international speaker, and curriculum developer. A lead math educator at the globally renowned Ron Clark Academy for over 15 years, she teaches in a model classroom visited by over 100,000 educators from around the world. She contributes to the development of innovative curricula, ensuring alignment with academic standards and RCA’s unique educational philosophy.

A Spelman College alumna, Dr. Jones Ford holds advanced degrees in Mathematics Education from Georgia State University and Columbia University. Also, holding multiple certifications, including elementary education, middle-grade mathematics, 7-12 mathematics, educational leadership, instructional supervision, and gifted education, she previously served as an instructor for Atlanta Public Schools, Argosy University, Sierra, and Nevada College.

Her dedication to educational excellence is reflected in her many accolades, including the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching, the highest honor for STEM educators in the United States. She was also recognized in the U.S. Congressional Record by the late Congressman John Lewis and celebrated multiple times by former President Barack Obama for her groundbreaking contributions to equity and excellence in education.

Dr. Jones Ford is the second Atlanta educator to be inducted into the National Teachers Hall of Fame, following Kimberly Stewart Bearden (2016), Ron Clark Academy’s co-founder and executive director. They join Sheryl Abshire (Augusta, 1992) and Sandra Worsham (Milledgeville, 2000) as the only Georgia inductees. With this year’s inductees, the NTHF has welcomed 165 educators since 1992, when the first five were inducted. Dr. Jones Ford is also the sixth Black woman to be inducted.

The formal induction ceremony will take place on Friday, June 20, during NTHF Inductee Week, June 16-20, in Emporia, Kansas. To learn more about the National Teachers Hall of Fame, visit https://nthf.org/. For more information on Dr. Valerie Jones Ford, visit https://www.drvcjones.com/.

About Dr. Valerie Camille Jones Ford

Renowned for her creative teaching methods, including integrating video games and art into math lessons, Dr. Valerie Camille Jones Ford excels in simplifying challenging concepts. Her unique teaching style not only engages students but also fosters a culture of “math esteem,” nurturing a positive and enthusiastic outlook on mathematics. Her viral educational rap, created in partnership with Old Navy and Pharrell Williams’ I AM OTHER, reached millions of viewers and showcased her unique ability to make learning joyful and relevant. She is a National Board-Certified Teacher, holds multiple degrees in mathematics education, and has been a guiding force in shaping instructional policy, professional development, and STEM access initiatives nationwide. Dr. Jones Ford’s influence extends globally, as she mentors educators worldwide, having trained over 100,000 teachers in advanced instructional methods.