Alex Clark, former assistant principal at Riverview Gardens High School, will join KHS this year as the 2028 class principal. Having taught at RGHS for 14 years, he is well experienced in the field of education, and he said he is eager to take his next steps in his career as a Kirkwood Pioneer.
How have your experiences at RGHS shaped you as an educator?
The biggest piece when you go into education is the relationships that you build. [Working at RGHS] taught me [the importance of] having relationships with our students, staff, community members and parents.
What is your best quality as an educator?
Just getting to know my students and who they are as an individual. That’s number one. My favorite quote was always “no significant learning comes without a significant relationship.” You have to have that foundation before anything else can grow.
What is your favorite part of the school day?
My favorite part of every day is being out in the hallways and talking to the students, having quick conversations [such as] talking about the activity that they did the previous night or the weekend, whether it’s football, whether it’s being involved in the drama club. I just [enjoy] having those conversations and figuring out what our students love.
What is something that most people don’t know about you?
I’m a Fox season ticket holder. It started as a little bit of a Hamilton craze. My sister lives in New York and I’ve been there a few times to visit her but also just to go on Broadway to see some amazing musicals there.
What person or even has shaped you the most?
My dad. He worked in a factory, which he enjoyed, but he always wanted something more for me and he was the one that pushed me. [It was also amazing to] watch him give back and work with the youth by mentoring and building relationships with them. [He’s the reason] I was the first one in my immediate family to graduate from college.
What is a goal you are currently working towards?
Every student has different needs, and finding ways to reach them [is extremely important]. Every journey is different: some students will be going to college, some to a junior college and some to the military. Everybody’s got a different outlook on what these four years look like, but helping them navigate their way through these next four years so they can reach their goals and their dreams [is my ultimate goal].
What is one word that best describes you and how does it translate to your skills as an assistant principal?
Adaptable. Every day is going to be different in education. At RGHS, I wasn’t just a principal: I was also in charge of technology and the AP program. I continue [using] the same skills that I learned as a teacher and instructional coach at every review. Coming here, I can use a lot of those same skills, but I’m also going to learn new skills. That’s the great thing about being an educator. I’m a lifelong learner. I want to be excellent at everything that I do so I’m adaptable to making whatever changes are needed. I listen to input, I collaborate with others, I try to get everybody’s opinion and work with that to make sure that the students and staff are getting the best quality education here at KHS.
What advice would you give to incoming freshmen?
There’s so much that encompasses [the next] four years. [There are] two middle schools merging into one high school so there are going to be a lot of opportunities to meet new people, and your social circumstances might change. Also, get involved, find your passion. Don’t join football because your friend’s playing football, don’t become a cheerleader because your friend’s a cheerleader. Try something that you’ve never tried before. Lastly, one of the most important things is to find your safe space. Find the person that’s going to be there [for you]. Whether it’s a teacher, a coach, a sponsor, your group of friends, your family members, whoever it is, find that person that’s going to help you achieve your greatness.
