2022-2023 Anderson 3 and Starr-Iva Middle Teacher of the Year - Coach Chris Clark
"Coach Chris Clark embodies what it means to be an educator. The immeasurable attitude, compassion, and dedication he shares with our students, faculty, and staff daily are incredible. As a school administrator, you are tasked with recognizing, acknowledging, and preserving those educators who go above and beyond the call of duty daily. There is no better example of this than Coach Clark. His passion as an educator and a coach, both inside and outside the classroom, is incredible and unmatched by many. There are multiple examples where Coach Clark has formed a bond, and encouraged, and motivated many students that others consider hard to reach.
In a meeting with a parent, it was shared that Coach Clark noticed some inappropriate comments being made to a particular student. While he dealt with the situation, Coach Clark told that student, “I’ve got your back,” as he put his arm around them. This impacted the student enough to share what Coach Clark said with their family at home. While this is just a tiny example of the compassion and empathy he is known for, it is a testament to who he is as a person and educator.
Through his work inside the classroom, on the football field, on the basketball court, on the baseball diamond, and within the community, Coach Clark has found an excellent and inspiring way to make a difference in the lives of all students at Starr-Iva Middle School and Anderson School District Three as a whole. We are truly blessed to have him as part of our SIMS family."
Congratulations, Coach Clark!