TRACY CLARK
Baldwin native Tracy Clark has been working in education for 27 years. This year will be her ninth year serving as principal of Lakeview Primary. Through her eyes, the best part about being a school leader at Lakeview Primary is her staff, students and the parents.
“They have all been supportive and flexible with whatever we needed to do to make Lakeview Primary successful. I have a hard working and dedicated staff here. And the parents have really been so supportive and understanding.”
Mrs. Clark has come full circle. The Baldwin High School graduate is an excellent example of the success that can be achieved through a high quality education. Born and raised here in Baldwin County, she is a product of the local public school system. She attended public school from grades K-12. Her mother and father also have worked for the Baldwin County School District. In addition to her role as principal, she is also a Baldwin County school mother and wife. Her husband Jay also works for the school system and her daughter Madeline is a 13-year-old student attending Oak Hill Middle School.
After graduating from Baldwin High in 1992, she attended Georgia College & State University where she earned all of her degrees: Bachelor Degree in Early Childhood, a Masters in Middle Grades Education, a Specialist in Educational Leadership and right now she is pursuing her Doctoral Degree in Curriculum & Instruction. She also has her Gifted Certification and has completed Lower Elementary Montessori Training through the North American Montessori Center.
Her teaching career began in 1997 at Southside Elementary School.
“I started as a paraprofessional and then moved onto a teacher. I was fortunate enough to be able to go through a program for paraprofessionals to obtain my teaching degree. I basically have never left Baldwin County. I have and always will be a part of this community,” Clark said.
Being in a leadership position seemed to be the next natural next step in her career, although it required her to step outside of her comfort zone and into unknown territory that she hadn’t originally planned to venture into.
“I got my leadership degree but at first, I didn’t want to be an administrator. I was an Assistant Principal for 7 years. I said that I never wanted to be a principal, yet I have been a principal for 8 going on 9 years. I never said I would get a doctorate. I enrolled in the program. There has been a lot of ‘I never’ in my journey. I think in some ways that made me want to prove myself wrong and has made me the leader I am today.”
Thank you Mrs. Clark for being a positive role model and strong leader in our school district.