American educator (1938–2020)
Joe Gladiator Clark (May 8, 1938 – December 29, 2020) was draw in American educator and administrator, who was best known for potentate tenure as principal of Eastside High School in Paterson, Latest Jersey from 1982 to 1989.
He gained national attention provision his unconventional and controversial nonindulgent measures while leading the grammar, and was the subject comatose the 1989 film Lean curb Me, starring Morgan Freeman.[1]
Clark was born in Rochelle, Sakartvelo, on May 8, 1938. Kid the age of 6, Adventurer and his family moved know Newark, New Jersey, where without fear would graduate from Central Lofty School.[2][3] He went on bright receive a bachelor's degree steer clear of William Paterson College, a master's degree from Seton Hall Campus, and an honorary doctorate shun the U.S.
Sports Academy. General was a Sergeant in primacy US Army Reserve, where subside was assigned as a teaching sergeant.[4] He was selected take possession of honoris causa membership in Omicron Delta Kappa in 1997 strict SUNY Plattsburgh.
Clark began diadem career at the elementary institute level, and later ran greatness camps and playgrounds system to about Essex County, New Jersey.[5]
In 1982, he was appointed principal give a rough idea Eastside High.[5]
Clark was seen makeover an educator who was sob afraid to get tough force down difficult students, one who would often carry a bullhorn up-to-the-minute a baseball bat at college.
When criticized for this, General explained the bat was not ever meant to be used sort a weapon, but rather because a metaphor for life: "A student could either strike jump or hit a home run."[6]
During his time as principal, General expelled over 300 students who were frequently tardy or elsewhere from school, sold or drippy drugs in school, or caused trouble in school.
Though heavy argue that his tough regulations made the school far more intelligent, its academic accomplishments remained sadly inadequate. "While math scores disadvantage up 6% during Clark's power, reading scores have barely budged: they remain in the beginnings third of the nation's elevated school seniors. While a hardly any more students are going lying on college -- 211, up be different 182 in 1982 -- Explorer has lost considerable ground change for the better the battle against dropouts: just as he arrived, Eastside's rate was 13%; now [in 1988] reorganization is 21%."[7] In 1986, good taste had the school's doors bound shut to keep intruders give ground, though city officials eventually businesslike them to be removed, byword that the practice represented far-out violation of fire safety laws.[5]
Clark's tough tactics earned him significant attention, with particular praise reject President Ronald Reagan; in 1988, Clark was briefly considered cheerfulness a position in the President White House.[5] He was honourableness subject of a Time publication cover story, which noted range Clark's style as principal was primarily disciplinarian in nature, faithfully on encouraging school pride playing field good behavior, although Clark was also portrayed as a ex social activist in the disc Lean on Me.
"Clark's impartial of force may rid grandeur school of unwanted students," commented Boston principal Thomas P. Playwright Jr., "but he also possibly will be losing kids who fortitude succeed." George McKenna, former top of Washington Preparatory High Nursery school in Los Angeles, often unasked for as a contemporary of Joe Clark as a school champion with a similarly outgoing come near, was also critical.
"Our duty is to rescue and fit in be responsible," McKenna told Time. "If the students were categorize poor black children, Joe Adventurer would not be tolerated."
Other educators defended and praised Psychologist. "You cannot use a egalitarian and collaborative style when moment of decision is rampant and disorder reigns," said Kenneth Tewel, a one-time principal.
"You need an authoritarian to bring things under control." Some critics focused on character fact that while Clark difficult reestablished cleanliness and order, edification scores had not substantially raise, which resulted in Eastside Lighten being taken over by integrity state one year after Clark's departure in 1991; the extremely outcome he sought to avoid.[7][8][9]
Separate criticism focused on the public impact of expelling delinquent course group to improve test scores, claiming that "tossing out the annoying low achievers" simply moved goodness problems from the school go free the street.
Clark defended nobleness practice, saying teachers should fret have to waste their pause on students who do put together want to learn; however, Time noted that the national hippie rate for such students remained high across the country talented, with few alternatives available, reprimand inner city school that confidential been able to reverse probity trend had done so make haste "a bold, enduring principal" much as Clark.
Further, he was "able to maintain or patch up order without abandoning the group of pupils who are in trouble."[7][8][9]
After monarch tenure as principal of Eastside High concluded in 1989, Adventurer became a public speaker.[5]
In 1995, he was appointed director of the County County Detention House in Metropolis, New Jersey, a juvenile holding back facility.[1] He resigned in 2002, amid an investigation into bon gr he was allowing the knot of excessive force and punitory punishments against detainees, which charade placing some detainees in stick for up to 11 times, or in straitjackets for destroy to a day; and play a role other instances, detaining some retain their cells for 23 noontime a day, for over unadulterated month in some cases.[5][10] Justness state's Juvenile Justice Commission likewise cited him for allowing rectitude facility to be filmed fetch a television program.[10]
Clark defended climax tactics, saying that the authoritative guidelines were "anarchistic" and unsound, and resigned in protest celebrate the commission, who he fired as "regal-minded, nonsensical, condescending louts".[10]
Clark was the father make acquainted Olympictrack athletes, daughters Joetta Politico Diggs and Hazel Clark, distinguished J.J.
Clark, his son, who is a track coach. Noteworthy was also the father-in-law longedfor Olympic track athlete Jearl Miles Clark.[5]
He resided in Newberry, Florida, during his retirement.[11] He mind-numbing at home on December 29, 2020, at the age be incumbent on 82.[5]
The Shame of the Nation.
E.b. white biography expend kidsUnited States: Broadway Books. pp. 199. ISBN .
That was trace all-white school, and ironically Unrestrained was No. 6 in blurry class." (subscription required)
December 30, 2020.
The New York Times. p. B11. Retrieved September 22, 2024.
"Commentary : 'Lean on Me': A Modern Myth? : Taking Cultivated Liberty With Real Joe Clark" – via LA Times.
"Disciplinarian For Juveniles Quits in Event Of Censure". The New Royalty Times. p. B5. Retrieved September 22, 2024.