# The Ron Clark Story

The Ron Clark Story (also known as The Triumph) is a 2006 American television film starring Matthew Perry. The film is based on the educator Ron Clark. It follows the tale of an idealistic teacher who leaves his small hometown to teach in a New York City public school, where he faces trouble with the students.
The film was directed by Randa Haines, and was released directly on television, premiering on TNT on August 13, 2006 and was later released on DVD in the 10 Movie Kid's Pack Volume 3 by Echo Bridge Home Entertainment in 2011.

## Plot

In 1998, Ron Clark leaves his teaching job at an elementary school in his North Carolina hometown, where he is known for his innovative teaching methods which results in raising test scores. He decides to look for a teaching job in a tough New York City inner city school where he feels he could be more useful. He finds a job at Inner Harlem Elementary School, where the students are sorted according to their potential.
The principal of the school believes Clark may be too "nice-looking," to take on the rough, disruptive students in a sixth-grade class that has just been abandoned by their teacher. He offers Clark a third-grade class, but Clark insists on taking the older kids that nobody else wants. He quickly learns that it will be a battle of wills between himself and his students to see who can outlast the other. He struggles to understand them, both individually and collectively, before he can teach them the standardized materials.

## Cast

* Matthew Perry as Ron Clark
* Melissa De Sousa as Marissa Vega
* Patricia Idlette as Devina
* Ernie Hudson as Principal Turner
* Hannah Hodson as Shameika Wallace
* Brandon Mychal Smith as Tayshawn Mitchell
* Micah Stephen Williams as Julio Vasquez
* Jerry Callaghan as Ron Clark, Sr.
* Marty Antonini as Howard
* Patricia Benedict as Jean Clark
* Vashon Baker as Student

## Reception
### Accolades

| Association | Category | Recipient | Result |
| AMPIA Awards | Best Costume Designer | Christine Thomson | Won |
| American Cinema Editors | Best Edited Miniseries or Motion Picture for Commercial Television | Heather Persons | Nominated |
| Casting Society of America | Best Movie of the Week Casting | Gary M. Zuckerbrod Bonnie Finnegan | Nominated |
| Christopher Awards | Television | Howard Burkons Brenda Friend Randa Haines Max Enscoe Annie DeYoung | Won |
| Critics' Choice Television Awards | Best Picture Made for Television | The Ron Clark Story | Nominated |
| Directors Guild of America | Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Movies for Television | Randa Haines | Nominated |
| Family Film Awards | Best TV Movie/Drama | Howard Burkons Brenda Friend | Won |
| Gold Derby Awards | TV movie/Mini Lead Actor | Matthew Perry | Won |
| Gold Derby Awards | TV movie/Mini Lead Actor of the Decade | Matthew Perry | Nominated |
| Golden Globe Awards | Best Actor in a Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television | Matthew Perry | Nominated |
| Motion Picture Sound Editors | Best Sound Editing in Music for Television – Long Form | Joanie Diener | Nominated |
| NAMIC Vision Awards | Best Actor – Drama | Ernie Hudson | Nominated |
| OFTA Television Awards | Best Motion Picture | The Ron Clark Story | Nominated |
| OFTA Television Awards | Best Actor in a Motion Picture or Miniseries | Matthew Perry | Nominated |
| Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Made for Television Movie | The Ron Clark Story | Nominated |
| Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or Movie | Matthew Perry | Nominated |
| Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Casting for a Miniseries, Movie or a Special | Gary M. Zuckerbrod Lonnie Maherman Bonnie Finnegan Rhonda Fisekci Candice Elzinga | Nominated |
| Screen Actors Guild Awards | Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries | Matthew Perry | Nominated |
| Writers Guild of America | Long Form — Original | Max Enscoe Annie DeYoung | Nominated |
| Young Artist Awards | Best Family Television Movie or Special | The Ron Clark Story | Won |
| Young Artist Awards | Best Performance in a TV Movie, Miniseries or Special (Comedy or Drama) – Leading Young Actress | Hannah Hodson | Won |
| Young Artist Awards | Best Performance in a TV Movie, Miniseries or Special (Comedy or Drama) – Leading Young Actor | Brandon Mychal Smith | Nominated |
| Young Artist Awards | Best Performance in a TV Movie, Miniseries or Special (Comedy or Drama) – Leading Young Actor | Micah Williams | Nominated |