Janice Clark – Huntington Middle School

Janice Clark is the 2018-2019 Teacher of the Year for Huntington Middle School. 

Clark was born and raised in Telfair County along with her four brothers and three sisters. She is married to her husband and together they have two daughters. Clark received her bachelor’s degree from Fort Valley State University, master’s degree from Wesleyan College, and specialist’s degree from Columbus State University. Her first teaching job was in Fort Valley, and later she came to Bonaire Middle School in 2005. She taught at Bonaire Middle for four years, and was then hired onto Huntington Middle. Clark is currently in her 20th year as a teacher.

Why teaching/What brought you into this field?

“When I first started college that was not my field. I majored in computer science and engineering. One day my mom kept saying to me, “Everything you do, you teach, at Sunday school, kids in the neighborhood. Why not teaching?” I never thought about it until later when I felt like God put me there. When I first graduated college I got a job on base. Then my dad had a stroke. So I chose to help him and my mom because at the time I didn’t have children yet. So while back at home I got a job as a police officer and I mainly dealt with juveniles. Didn’t like it very much so I became stop corrections officer for juveniles. I loved working with them, but my heart was saddened to see how many kids that were going down the wrong path so I thought to myself we have to make a change. That’s when I went back to school and became a teacher.”

Any inspiration from past teachers?

“You got to love what you do. I had a lot of teachers in my past that encouraged me. I was quiet growing up, but worked hard. The people in the community motivated me as well. Sometimes it only takes one person to see you and make you feel like you can do anything. My hope is that I am that one person to my students just as my teachers and neighbors were to me.”

What do you enjoy most about teaching?

“The kids. They come with so many different stories, and they have so many different things going on in their lives that sometimes they need someone to listen. As teachers we wear so many hats, listeners, counselors etc. But we need to realize we need to be that universal person that kids can come to us. I’m encouraged to see how they grow, academically and socially. And at the end of the year I smile and love knowing that I was a part of that.”

What is the most

challenging part of teaching?

“The educational reform. Constantly changing things, but biggest thing is, if it’s working why change it? There some things we have to, but others we keep what works. Another challenging part is to be sure we can fit everything in the time they give us. We also have to re-train ourselves. It can be tough.”

Advice to students

“Everyday I tell my students to never give up, always work your best and always give your best. Never be afraid to ask questions. The littlest question may not be little to someone else.”

Advice to parents

“Your child will always need you. When students get to middle school the parents want to give them a little bit of leeway but that’s the time when they really need you. I think parents can take [their] hand off some things, but need to know what’s going on, who they’re friends with, etc. So many kids now days are committing suicide and I see so many feel guilty and think if only they would have known they could have said something to change their minds. Middle school age [is] tough so we must be engaged with them.”