Thank you, Mrs. Barb Clark, for all of your years of commitment. You will be greatly missed. Best of Luck!
We are saddened but thankful for the time Mrs. Clark has dedicated to our staff and students here at SJPS. As many might know, this is Mrs. Clark's last year as she is retiring. She is approaching the last couple weeks of her career. So, as we get ready to send her off on retirement, we wanted to share a little about her life and career throughout the years.
Mrs. Clark has been teaching for 40 years. She began at Duck Creek School in North Muskegon, K-6, for a half of year (Jan. 1979) in a portable classroom. They handed her a Dick and Jane book--nothing else. So, Mrs. Clark generously bought her own books. Following this position she began at New Buffalo Jr-Senior High School: teaching all core classes, 7-8, for 8 years (1979-1987.) After this experience she started here at St. Jospeh Public Schools. She was at Upton MS for 27 years (1987-2014) and St. Joseph High School from January, 1990-1991 and again at the High School for 5 year (2014-2019.) Mrs. Clark majored in special education of the mentally impaired and English. Her masters is in Learning Disabilities and her favorite subject to teach is English.
Mrs. Clark has been married to her husband, Bob, for 34 years. He is the treasure for Lake Township. She also has twin sons, Eric and Rob who are 30 years old. Eric is working on his PhD in Neuroscience research. He is married to Nicole, who has her PhD in Cognitive Behavior research. Rob does data analysis at Ally Bank in Detroit and is working on his masters. He is getting married to Kristie this summer. She is an optometrist in Canada.
During retirement, Mrs Clark plans to continue her current hobbies such as walking, hiking, and camping. She and her husband just bought a camper and have four trips in Michigan planned. She plans to continue doing aerobics, three times a week, at her favorite place, Weko Beach, in Bridgman. As you would expect, Mrs. Clark loves reading and belongs to two book groups. She is also planning to visit family members in Maine and Texas and wants to visit Slovakia, where her maternal grandparents were born.
Best of luck to Mrs. Clark in the next chapter of her life, take care. Please read on to learn more about Mrs. Barb Clark!
Favorite songs: "Your Raise Me Up" by Josh Groban and "What Doesn't Kill ,You Makes You Stronger" by Kelly Clarkson
Favorite Color: Blue
Favorite Food: Santaniello's lasagna and chocolate
Water or soda: Water
My favorite book from childhood: A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith.
Where did you grow up: Muskegon
Siblings: 4th of 6 kids
Friends: Husband, two friends she has known for 40 years, and her moms-of-twins friends that she has known for 30 year.
Best gift given to me: Third grade teacher bought her glasses and sent her to summer school.
Best gift I have given: Books, sharing the love of reading
How I would like to be remembered: As Someone who cared about all students and believed they could succeed. Modernizing special education at Upton, from self-contained to inclusion (least restrictive) and using the regular classroom materials instead of workbooks. Being a part of Battle of the Books for 26 years with her special education students. Having the first special ed student as captain and students on the winning team.
Favorite Sayings: "It may not be easy, but it will be worth it." and "Difficult times can define you, diminish you or develop you."
