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Huntington Bank's Ignite the Classroom: Empowering Educators with $7.5 Million

In a significant stride towards educational enrichment, Huntington National Bank unveiled its Ignite the Classroom initiative, doubling its commitment in its second year to empower educators across various communities. This initiative showcases a robust investment of $7.5 million, aiming to elevate the educational landscape and support nearly 1,500 teachers in their professional development journey.

A Start with Ambitious Goals

Launched in July 2025, the Ignite the Classroom program kicked off with immersive training sessions hosted at the renowned Ron Clark Academy in Atlanta, Georgia. This two-day experience acted as a catalyst for educators from nine different markets, setting the tone for a comprehensive multi-month development program. Since its inception in 2024, the initiative has garnered an impressive $2.8 million from Huntington, supplemented by $4.6 million raised through partnerships with corporations, foundations, and other contributors.

Building Strong Communities Through Education

Brant Standridge, Consumer Regional Banking President at Huntington, emphasized the bank's foundational mission: to support community growth and enrichment through education. "Huntington has a longstanding history of giving back and supporting programs designed to enrich communities and create an environment where people and businesses can thrive," he stated. This philosophy reflects a deeper commitment to fostering positive community change, particularly through the empowerment of educators—a group Standridge believes plays a critical role in shaping prosperous communities.

Partnership with Ron Clark Academy (RCA)

In cooperation with the Ron Clark Academy, a globally acknowledged non-profit institution celebrated for its academic excellence, Huntington's initiative aims to enhance not just individual educators, but the educational ecosystem as a whole. By providing personalized career development opportunities, educators can improve their skills, ultimately leading to enriched student learning experiences. The training focuses on dynamic workshops and in-class observations, allowing participants to engage with innovative teaching strategies that inspire students' passion for learning.

Long-Term Commitment to Educators

The Ignite the Classroom program spans a year, allowing educators to remain within a supportive cohort. Following their initial training at RCA, participants will benefit from ongoing lessons facilitated by RCA experts throughout the academic year. This iterative learning approach ensures educators can effectively implement new techniques and strategies in their classrooms, fostering a culture of continuous improvement.

Additionally, educators will have the opportunity to gather locally for reunions, where they can discuss best practices and problem-solving strategies with RCA faculty and peers, turning theoretical knowledge into practical application.

Impact and Expansion Plans

Since its initial rollout, Ignite the Classroom has positively influenced approximately 2,300 educators across 40 school districts, with a noteworthy expansion in 2025 to include regions such as Akron, Ohio, Charlotte, Minneapolis, and Charleston, West Virginia. Huntington aims to touch the lives of over 5,000 educators within the next two years, reinforcing its commitment to community engagement through education.

As Standridge states, "Our investment in Ignite the Classroom reflects our belief in the transformative power of education and the critical role educators play in building stronger, more vibrant communities."

Conclusion

As Huntington Bank continues to innovate and support educational initiatives, it remains a pivotal partner in the journey to inspire and prepare the next generation of learners. The Ignite the Classroom initiative is a remarkable example of how community-focused investments can yield significant returns in terms of both educational effectiveness and community strength. To learn more about Huntington's commitment to educational empowerment, you can visit their website.