Joe Louis Clark (born May 7, 1938 in Rochelle, Georgia) is the former principal of Eastside High School in Paterson, one of New Jerseys toughest inner city schools. He is also the subject of the 1989 film Lean on Me, starring Morgan Freeman. Clark gained public attention in the 1980s for his unconventional and controversial disciplinary measures. He also partly inspired Denzel Washingtons character in the film Hard Lessons about contemporary Los Angeles high school principal George McKenna. Clark is also the father of the Olympic track athletes Joetta Clark Diggs and Hazel Clark Riley, and the father-in-law of Olympic track athlete Jearl Miles Clark. ***Clarks style as principal was primarily disciplinarian in nature, focused on encouraging school pride and good behavior, although Clark was also portrayed as a former social activist in the film Lean on Me. Clarks use of force may rid the school of unwanted students, commented Boston principal Thomas P. ONeill Jr., but he also may be losing kids who might succeed. George McKenna, former principal of Washington Preparatory High School in Los Angeles, often cited as a contemporary of Joe Clark as a school reformer with a similarly outgoing approach, was also critical. Our role is to rescue and to be responsible, McKenna told Time. If the students were not poor black children, Joe Clark would not be tolerated. ****Educators defended and praised Clark. You cannot use a democratic and collaborative style when crisis is rampant and disorder reigns, said Kenneth Tewel, a former principal. You need an autocrat to bring things under control.
Posted on: Wed, 14 May 2014 01:29:21 +0000
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