Park View Says Goodbye

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Mr. John Clark, a beloved third grade teacher at Park View Elementary, retired this November. Clark led an eventful life before becoming a teacher. He served in the National Guard at age 18 before fulfilling an LDS mission to Sweden. Mr. Clark then served in the regular army for two years where he earned the prestigious Din-a-Ling award for getting his unit lost in the woods. He served in the Reserves for many years and was honorably discharged as a Major.

He has also served in the Boy Scouts of America every year since he was fifteen and has received a Venturing Leadership Award, Second Miller Award, Service Award from the Order of the Arrow, and the District Award of Merit. He even met his wife, Becca, at Camp Evergreen, East Fork of the Bear scout camp. They were married in 1974 and have five children and eight grandchildren.

Mr. Clark speaks Russian, Swedish, has learned German and Spanish and understands Danish and Norwegian. He has lived in Virginia, Maryland, Missouri, and Utah. He graduated from the University of Utah with a major in Russian and a minor in Political Science, plus a secondary teaching certificate. He earned an Elementary teaching certificate from USU and his Masters Degree at BYU in Elementary computers. He cheers for BYU at all their football games, but then cheers for U of U for their games. He also plays the piano, clarinet and the cello.

Mr. Clark started his teaching career at a preschool and tutored at a reading school. He taught in Lake Shore until the school was torn down, then moved to Park View until it was renovated during which he taught at Spring Lake and then came back to Park View.

“I first got to know John when I substituted in his classroom,” said fellow teacher, Lori Toutai. “He was gone for two weeks of training for the army. I remember thinking what a great contrast it was to have this very tall man teaching those little second graders. One of my favorite memories of John was seeing him out at recess playing kickball with those little kids.”

“He is an awesome third grade teacher and he is always kind to others,” says student Tyler Jones.

“He always did my Rubik’s cube when I couldn’t finish it.” Shantell Angell said.

“I’ll tell my kids that he was an AWESOME teacher!” exclaimed Madison Montoya.

“I loved looking at the plants in the back of the room,” commented Aspen Forster.

“I think he is a cool teacher because he taught me to use email,” said Aubrey.

Thank you Mr. Clark for all of you have done for each one of us and for the many extra hours you spent at school. The place won’t be the same without you!