The end of the school year brings change for many - not just students, but teachers as well. At local schools, various educators are moving on to new opportunities or retiring. Doug Clawson, current Catahrine Blaine School librarian and an educator for more than 40 years, has chosen (with his wife's input) to finally retire.
Clawson has spent the past 23 years at Blaine, teaching many different grades, including a year in first grade, and 4/5 multigrade class as well as several years of fifth-seventh grades. He has been the school librarian since 2003.
Originally, Clawson majored in economics and minored in geography at San Jose State University, but after visiting an elementary school in 1964 he decided education was where he wanted to be. The following year he began a teaching internship at San Jose State and subsequently taught for 18 years in California. In addition to teaching, he was a summer school principal for seven years through a program he designed for a school district he was involved in, and also served for several years as assistant principal of an early childhood education program.
Following his time in California, Clawson began the second part of his career in Washington, starting out as a math teacher for fifth through seventh grades at the old Sharples Bilingual Orientation Center. Next came a K-1 English-immersion class, with students representing seven languages and no English. Clawson says he "counts this as one of the most enjoyable years of his career."
Interestingly, Clawson also taught two summers and part of a school year at the juvenile detention school in Seattle.
In essence, Clawson has done virtually everything within the field of education. Including his own education, he's been in school for 59 years, leading him to jokingly comment, "I'm either very dedicated in being in education for so long or stupid for not graduating in 59 years."
Of Magnolia, Clawson says, "I love this community; I love the kids and parents." He thoughtfully reflects on his involvement with the students, saying he is a very easygoing type and the kids enjoy coming to the library. They are sometimes sent to the library for a time-out, as the kids respond positively to the way he is with them. Kids have been able to share openly with him about important things going on in their lives, and he shared stories of several circumstances, illustrating his desire to "have a good influence over their lives."
Not only has Clawson been able to help Magnolia students in a personal way, but an academic way as well. He is very passionate about teaching and believes that if he doesn't enjoy what he is doing, the students won't enjoy it either. He maintains a comfortable environment to encourage students as they learn. He also treats each student as gifted in some way, and at the same time acknowledges that every student has some baggage from his or her life - that every individual comes from a specific context. Clawson takes these individual contexts into consideration with his teaching, allow the students to be the best they can be.
With $26,000 he raised in the past four years, Clawson has transformed the library collection. When he started out, the library was filled with mostly old books from older schools, and he made it his mission to bring in new books for the students to enjoy. He also played a part in starting the sixth-grade camp and received a Golden Apple Award from the PTA for his efforts.
Clawson says he is not retiring because of the kids; he strongly states he "loves working with the kids." However, he has many interests and activities he will pursue in retirement. Clawson and his wife of 43 years now own a bookstore and espresso/pastry shop in Lake Stevens, where they currently reside. They want to focus on getting the store up and running. Clawson says he'd also like to write a children's book, and try to get small stints in local films; he was an extra in the TV show "Crossing Jordan."
Clawson and his wife have four sons and seven grandchildren. He spoke of his wife fondly, noting that he "owes a lot to many people, but most of all to a very supportive, creative and brilliant wife."
Blaine is holding a retirement party for Clawson on Thursday, June 14, from 2:30 to 4 p.m.
"It has definitely been a wonderful experience and a wonderful life," says Clawson with a smile.
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