Where Are They Now? Pamela J. Clarke, Groton English teacher, Head of Curriculum Committee, Assistant Director of Admission 1972–90

What keeps you busy now?

I'm head of school at Doane Stuart School in Albany, New York. It's a nursery–12, coed, interfaith, independent day school. The school is right on the Hudson and is the result of merging a Sacred Heart School with an Episcopal School.

What highlight would you like to share from your years since leaving Groton?

In 1990, I left Groton after nineteen years to be head of Masters School in Dobbs Ferry, New York. While there, we went coed, organized a middle school, put a Harkness table in every room, and started CITYterm, a semester program for juniors.

Does one aspect of working at Groton stand out to you now? Why?

Paul Wright hired me as the first woman teacher "hired in her own right." Micheline was there teaching French, and Betsy Peabody had taught kids in the past as well. So although I was touted as the first woman, I wasn't really. I taught eighth and twelfth grades and loved it. I was lucky to join the Admission Office and had a blast finding the first girls to come to Groton! The move to coeducation was most interesting and compelling.

Please share a favorite funny or memorable story from your time at Groton.

On the Friday of St Mark’s weekend, my Chevy station wagon was missing when I went to drive my own kids to school. Much laughter was coming from the school building, and my car was up in front of the doors pointing out, the windshield saying "Beat St Mark’s." I was running a boys’ dorm at the time, and they must have been very strong to get my car up those steps! The deans were not amused, but truth be told, it was a good prank.

Is there one lesson learned while teaching at Groton that you’d like to share?

I loved the quiet time in the Chapel every morning, and from that experience, I have learned to find balance in a day—some period of quiet, sometimes in prayer, sometimes in meditation (TM), sometimes writing a personal reflection. School life is so very busy; it wants a regular respite.

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