Teacher Spotlight: Ms. Clarke

By: Payton Pennywitt, Sophia Pennywitt and Taylor Smith

November 3, 2025

TOLEDO, OH – Ms. Clark, a sophomore theology teacher at St. Ursula Academy, is in her seventh year of teaching at SUA. 

Students describe Ms. Clarke as down to earth, understanding and knowing how to have a good laugh. But there is much more to Ms. Clarke than these characteristics. 

Ms. Clarke has a Bachelor of Science degree in Applied Health Science, a Bachelor of Science in Gerontology, and a Master of Science in Interdisciplinary Gerontology from Bowling Green State University. 

She then went on to take an online masters course through John Carroll University to obtain a Master’s Degree in Theology Education.

Before becoming a teacher, Ms. Clarke was employed in healthcare, but when switching careers she was blessed to attain a job at SUA.

She had many interviews during the transition and came close to being a youth minister instead, but after not getting the job she had a new opportunity in front of her.

“Mrs. Flores (former SUA principal) called me a couple hours later [after not getting the youth minister position] and asked ‘what do you think about being a teacher?’ I said I’m not really a teacher and she said ‘I think you can be,’” said Ms. Clarke.

Memories students have with Ms. Clarke include her responses to no caller IDs, her ways to stop people from talking too long, and her overall energy and love she has for her faith. 

“My favorite memory with Ms. Clarke in her class is when the pope was elected and she was running around the room going crazy,” said junior, Tori Braatz.

Ms. Clarke’s love for SUA does not go unnoticed, She attends almost all tournament sporting events, supporting her past and present students, and she loves seeing how well each of her students do in their specific sports.

It is hard to say who loves who more, the students for Ms. Clarke, or Ms. Clarke's love for SUA. In the words of senior Kate Fighter, “She’s the bomb.com.”