Teaching English at Scott High School is Tom Clark’s second career, after spending nearly 20 years in publishing. His first taste of writing for publication came with the school newspaper at Dixie Heights High School, from which he was graduated in 1976. Four years later, he earned a B.A. in Journalism from the University of Kentucky. After covering news and sports for the Kenton County Recorder, Mr. Clark spent 14 years in various positions with Writer’s Digest magazine, including four years as editor. As a freelance writer, Mr. Clark wrote articles for a variety of magazines, including Modern Bride, Cincinnati, Chance, HOW, Pool & Spa News, and Contemporary Long-Term Care. While in publishing, he authored a short book on writing called Queries and Submissions, edited writing and general-interest books for Writer’s Digest Books and Betterway Books, taught nonfiction writing in the Writer’s Digest School, and spoke at writer’s conferences and workshops in 22 states.
During his freelancing sojourn, Mr. Clark tried his hand at substitute teaching and eventually found his new calling. He joined the English faculty at Scott High School in 2003. Since then, he has taught Introduction to Journalism; English 2, 3 and 4; Film & TV Writing; Literature of Sports; Honors English 3 and A.P. English Language and Composition, which he started in 2010-11. He is also chair of the English Department and will complete his Master’s in Education at NKU in fall.
On the homefront, Mr. Clark married his high school sweetheart (everybody say “Ah!”) in 1980. Peggy is a nurse practitioner in neurology at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, specializing in epilepsy drug research. Tom and Peggy have three children and a dog, three of whom (not the dog) were graduated from Scott High School. Mr. Clark’s hobbies include reading (English teacher, remember?), movies, theater, music, history, baseball, and UK basketball.
More important stuff: Favorite book: The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. Favorite author: John LeCarré. Favorite singers: Frank Sinatra and James Taylor. Best concert: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band from the front row. Favorite Broadway show: seeing Sweeney Todd with my daughter. Favorite movie: Casablanca. Best baseball games attended: Tom Browning’s perfect game and the 5th game of the 1972 N.L. playoffs. Best tape he never wants his students to see: him playing the role of King Herod in a local production of Jesus Christ Superstar.