This week’s Teacher Spotlight is all about Ms. Clark, a math teacher at Las Vegas Academy of the Arts (LVA) who didn’t expect teaching to become her career. She said, “I didn’t choose it… God had it planned. Every step I took literally just led to teaching, and I was like, ‘I guess this is what I’m doing.’” It’s clear that teaching found her, and she’s been making a big impact ever since.

Ms. Clark went to UC Berkeley, where she had an independent major in American Studies with a focus on Ethnicity and Poetry. This isn’t the typical path for a math teacher, but it shows how creative and open-minded she is about teaching. She brings a lot of those creative skills into her math lessons, making math feel less like a challenge and more like something students can enjoy.

One of the things that makes Ms. Clark’s classroom stand out is the music. She loves playing music during class to set the mood and help students feel relaxed while learning. “Since I love music,” she said. The music helps take away the stress, allowing students to approach math with an open mind. It’s also a big part of her personality.

But Ms. Clark’s love for music isn’t just something she shares with her students in class. She also DJs for school events, bringing her musical energy to dances, and black culture club open mics. Whether she’s playing a playlist, or playing tracks for a school function, Ms. Clark’s music has become a key part of the LVA community. Her DJing adds another layer to her role at school, showing how much she values bringing fun and energy to everything she does.

Before Ms. Clark came to LVA, she taught 7th and 8th grade math at a school in northern California from 2008 to 2012. She says the experience helped her grow as a teacher and inspired her to continue helping students with math. Once she joined LVA, she felt like the school was the perfect place for her since she is passionate about both math and the arts.

One of Ms. Clark’s favorite parts of teaching is seeing students go from not liking math to actually enjoying it. “When students that hate math discover an appreciation for it and their confidence builds because they finally see that they CAN do math,” she said. Watching a student who once struggled start to succeed is what keeps her motivated.

Beyond the classroom, Ms. Clark is also involved in three clubs: the ASL Club, Black Culture Club, and Basketball Club. These clubs give students a chance to connect with each other outside of class, whether it’s learning a new language, celebrating culture, or staying active and competitive in basketball. Ms. Clark supports her students in all these areas, making sure they have a space to grow and explore their interests.

Ms. Clark is more than just a math teacher, she’s someone who makes a difference in the lives of her students by encouraging creativity, confidence, and community. Whether she’s teaching math, DJing a school event, or running a club, she’s always there to support students and help them thrive. For anyone who knows Ms. Clark, it’s not surprising that her favorite color is purple. It’s a color that represents her creative energy and positive attitude. She’s a teacher who truly cares about her students and brings that same energy into everything she does.  

Ms. Clark’s journey to becoming a teacher may not have been planned, but she’s found her purpose at LVA. With her mix of teaching skills, love for music, and dedication to student life, she’s someone who makes LVA a better place every day.