Vol. 19, No. 34

June 21, 2000

National leader

New director named for CHEP's School of Education

Christopher M. Clark, a Michigan State University education professor and researcher known for his work on how teachers think and behave, has been named director of UD's School of Education, effective Aug. 1. "Chris Clark was the unanimous choice for leadership of the school," Dan Rich, dean of the College of Human Services, Education and Public Policy, said. "I feel we are very fortunate. His familiarity with the challenges of teacher education and education policy has generated a great deal of enthusiasm among all in the school and the college. Everyone--not just at the University, but the entire education community in the state and region--will benefit from his presence here." Clark was selected after a national search that attracted numerous applicants from a variety of backgrounds, Joseph Pika, political science and international relations who chaired the search committee, said. "I think it's the University's and the state of Delaware's immense good fortune to have Chris Clark coming here," Pika, who also is a member of the state board of education, added. "He is a national figure in education. We are going to benefit enormously from his coming to Delaware and working with us." Other members of the search committee were Roberta M. Golinkoff and James Hiebert, both H. Rodney Sharp Professors of Education; Ralph P. Ferretti, education; Gail Rys, education; and Kate Conway-Turner, individual and family studies. An educational psychologist, Clark has researched various aspects of teacher psychology and teacher development. His most recent work has centered on studies of 10 groups of teachers--in the United States, Canada and Israel--that have met for several years to discuss aspects of teaching and to reflect on their experiences in the classroom. That research, to be published in September by Teachers College Press as the book Learning Conversations, demonstrates the value and power of sharing ideas in authentic conversation--a philosophy he plans to bring to his new position, Clark said. "I feel everyone [in the School of Education] at Delaware is ready for change, but I know we'll need a lot of conversations to set our priorities and select the initiatives we want to pursue," he said. "And, I know that you can't have a good conversation by yourself. These talks must include the whole CHEP community." Clark described himself as optimistic and enthusiastic about the school and eager to involve the faculty in setting its course for the future. "I think the organization is poised to move up a step, to do some exciting work and become better known nationally and internationally for the good work already under way," he said. Robert L. Hampel, interim director of the School of Education, initially nominated Clark for the position after faculty members were encouraged to suggest names for consideration. He said he knew Clark by reputation and was convinced he'd be an excellent choice. "He has focused on teacher education for many, many years, and he brings that research and expertise to this position," Hampel said. "I think it's a very good fit in terms of personal style, too. He's collegial and believes in faculty governance." Clark said he developed some of his attitudes about consideration and respect for others "in the crucible," as a young Navy officer serving aboard submarines from 1963 to 1972. Working under pressure and in such close quarters, he said, taught him "the importance of teamwork and of a sense of humor and a sense of proportion." During those years, which followed his 1963 graduation from Villanova University, he also taught celestial navigation in the Navy ROTC program at Stanford University. When he left the Navy, he returned to Stanford and earned his master's and doctoral degrees. In 1976, he joined the faculty at Michigan State, where he was part of the then-new Institute for Research in Teaching. Clark has held visiting professorships at the University of Haifa in Israel, where he was a Fulbright Scholar, and at Teachers College of Columbia University and the University of Alberta in Canada. About 18 years ago, he recalled, he was a guest speaker in an education class at UD and always retained a positive feeling about the University, which he described as "a lot like the spirit of Michigan State, but on a more human scale." Clark, who plays electric bass in a faculty rock and roll band in Michigan, grew up in Philadelphia and said he is looking forward to returning to the Delaware Valley. He and his wife, Tryn, have four grown children and two grandsons, who live in the Philadelphia area. Tryn Clark, a nurse and social worker, is pursuing a master's degree in religious studies. --Ann Manser