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Please tell us a little about yourself.
“I was born in Madison, Tennessee. I moved to Mt. Juliet in ninth grade (1989).”
Married, children?
“My wife, Ronda, and I married in 1999. My son, Collin, graduates from MTSU this year and my daughter, Kara, graduates from MJHS this year.”
Schooling?
“Too many military education courses to list. My degree is in general studies.” (Clark graduated from MJHS and was named the school’s Teacher of the Year for 2024-2025.)
What was your first-ever job?
“Little Caesars Pizza (where Calabria’s is now).”
Your Marine Corps career?
“I enlisted in 1993. Had rank of Sergeant Major (E-9) with multiple assignments (East Coast, West Coast and overseas). I am a veteran of both Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. I served as a provisional infantry Platoon Sergeant in Iraq and as an Artillery Battery Gunnery Sergeant in Afghanistan. I retired from the military in 2018.”
What led you to want to teach JROTC?
“I never planned to make the military my lifelong career. I joined the Marine Corps to mature, grow up and save money for college. My initial goal was to serve my first enlistment, attend college and eventually teach elementary school. You might wonder why a U.S. Marine would want to teach kindergarten. My mother, a music and vocal instructor, inspired me. She has always been a guiding light, mentoring and educating many students, several of whom have gone on to achieve great success in the music industry, all thanks to her influence. During my first enlistment, I developed a deep appreciation for the Marine Corps’ culture, values, morals and high standards, which ultimately led to a 25-year career. Nonetheless, my passion for teaching remained strong. Now, as a JROTC Instructor, I am fortunate to combine both passions.”
Briefly explain what this program is.
“Our MCJROTC vision is to produce confident, patriotic, citizen-leaders with sound communication and decision-making skills and to develop courageous, character driven young adults who possess the attributes of personal responsibility and accountability in order to become model citizens in service to the United States. Our program is an ‘elective’ class and provides opportunities for additional credits in Lifetime Wellness, Physical Education, Government, Personal Finance, and OSHA-10 certification. There are 9th-12th graders and the program averages about 80 Cadets annually.”
What are strategies you apply to “relate” and “connect” with this age group?
“I am blessed to have two children roughly the same age as my students. They both coach me and educate me on how best to connect to today’s youth.”
Do you keep in touch with your former students?
“I am very blessed that former Cadets reach out very regularly to seek advice, counsel or update me on the path their lives have taken as a result of their time spent in JROTC. I am always excited to hear from those who choose a life of service in the military. I love hearing their stories and living vicariously through them.”
Most memorable career moments?
“At the end of my fourth year of teaching, the fresh-faced students from my inaugural year were stepping into the world as graduates. It was a breathtaking transformation to witness these once silly 14-year-olds blossom into young adults. Little did I know, a new tradition had taken root during graduation. Each graduate was gifted a yellow rose, meant to be bestowed upon the ‘Most influential teacher’ they had encountered on their journey. One by one, nearly every single graduate from our MCJROTC program approached me, handing over roses as they bid their farewells. My heart swelled threefold, inundated with emotions that brought me to the brink of tears. The memory of your first group of freshmen, who graduate after four years of shared experiences, is a treasure forever etched in the heart.”
Best piece of advice you’ve received?
“When in my early 20s,Staff Sergeant Steven Reese told me not to get married or have children until I had established myself within my military career and was promoted to at least Sergeant (E-5). This was to ensure that I was mature enough and financially responsible enough to support a family.”
Hobbies?
“Physical training, movies and spending time with my beautiful wife.”
Biggest career accomplishments?
“Helping Mt. Juliet High School MCJROTC receive Naval Honor School recognition for all six years I’ve been teaching. This places our program at in the top 20% of all MCJROTC programs nationwide.”
If you could spend an evening with anyone, past or present, who and why?
“President Ronald Reagan. As a young man, I was mesmerized by his public speaking ability and his formula for a successful economic turnaround.”
Pets?
“My running partner is our family Schnauzer, Luna.We also have about 15 chickens.”
Where would you like to travel?
“I’ve been blessed to travel the world on seven different occasions as part of my military career. But my wife and I are saving for a trip to Alaska.”
Favorite family time activity?
“Working with my wife on her chicken coop and yardwork.”
