When not teaching, Bill enjoys outdoor activities such as hiking, snowshoeing, and bicycling. He particularly appreciates the time when the trails open and he can hike or snowshoe. Bill began a doctoral program in Educational Leadership as part of the 2013 cohort at UVM and wrote his dissertation about teaching ELL students. He graduated with a doctorate in education (Ed.D.) in 2018.
Education and Professional Experiences
Bill Clark attended high school and college in New Jersey, moved to the Midwest and returned to New England for graduate work at Boston University and Northeastern University. As a freelance writer for over 25 years, Bill worked for computer and technical firms (Digital Equipment, IBM, and GE Healthcare) before completing a MAT degree at the University of Vermont in 2009, with additional training in teaching English Language Learners at St. Michael’s College. Bill began teaching at Winooski schools in 2009.
“The diversity of the Winooski schools and the commitment of Winooski teachers attracted me from the start of my pre-service teaching,” said Bill. “I used many of those stories of struggle and achievement to inform my research. My action research documented the struggles of two cohorts of ELL students studying U.S. History over a two-year period. Every day I learned more about our students and their cultures. I’m delighted that so many of my ELL students have gone on to college.”
What has been your greatest learning experience? (in or out of school)
When I was teaching in middle school, we developed a unit in which students created digital stories. The stories were touching and very personal, and it has been wonderful watching those students grow as they moved through high school. That project led to extensive collaboration with UVM students and professors and a co-written chapter in “English Learner Instruction through Collaboration and Inquiry in Teacher Education” (2013: Information Age Publishing). That initial learning experience began small, then grew substantially, and led me to the work I’m doing today.
Who do you admire and why?
The components of leadership and effective organization interest me. I have read extensively about leaders such as Phil Jackson, Stanley McChrystal, and Colin Powell. Similarly, the work of Krista Tippett and her On Being podcast reminds me of the value of social justice and the work we all must do to promote and enhance diversity. Creating personal, effective connections motivates me to advocate for those lacking privilege in our communities.
What do you love about your current WSD position and the WSD community?
My colleagues and I share a dedication to our students. We regularly discuss student needs and meet those needs on a daily basis. At another level, I love teaching writing and bringing students through their Senior Projects to a conclusion of their high school experiences.