(June 14, 2007) — Few are aware that for her entire life, Assistant Principal Joan Shoff has dreamed of dancing. She danced as a child and moved onto professional dancing as an adult, and eventually into teaching. All that brought her to Clark. Yet now her arduous journey — and her nine years at Clark Magnet High School—will finally take her to a place that will perfectly integrate her love for art and her administrative skills. It’s been a long road for Shoff. She taught for one year in Chicago; she then followed by teaching at Crescenta Valley High School for over 20 years. She taught dance, cheerleading, drill and social science. After teaching she got her first administrative job in 1995 at Glendale High School, where she was dean of students. She then went back to C.V. as an assistant principal, before taking the same position at Clark Magnet. Beginning next year, Shoff is moving on to become the district coordinator for visual and performing arts. This will be the first time anyone has held the position in over a decade. According to Shoff, this is a perfect position for her. “I love the challenge of working on a new project and starting something new,” Shoff said in an interview. As the first visual and performing arts director in over a decade, she will have quite the opportunity to start something and make it her own. “I came to Clark for the experience of starting a new school—hiring an administration, choosing classes,” Shoff said. She has been at the school since its conception in 1998. Her efforts are easily seen by many as tremendous, yet she feels her biggest contribution is the culture of the school. “When you have a larger school it becomes impersonal. Clark is personalized—students don’t fall through the cracks,” she said. Shoff has many duties: enforcing the dress code, establishing the bell schedule, among many others. She is very proud of the kind teachers and students at Clark. “I really love her,” junior Kelly Chew said. “She’s such a nice woman. And a definite change from the usual mean administrator.” While most students feel that with the title “administrator” comes a slew of negative emotions, some have found that Shoff has broken this mold. Senior Andrew Kukaswky said, “Assistant principal usually means an ugly, mean woman. But Dr. Shoff is actually nice to me.” Her new position will have her overseeing all grades in the district and making sure that all schools increase the amount of art in the curriculum. She will also be making sure that all funds are spent correctly. That funds are used for “long lasting” equipment, things of value and reusability, something she said is quite essential. T he work will have her focused primarily on elementary schools, but that will span further as she is concerned that some middle schools don’t even have all the arts. Shoff’s entire family is in the arts as well. “My husband is a singer and all three boys are involved, so it really is just in the family.” She is someone whose entire life has been embraced by art. “I used to live in Chicago, and we used to take the elevated train to the art institute, or to museums in the day, and then went to an evening White Sox game — something the boys would enjoy.” Many staff members are sad about Shoff leaving. Randy Tiffany, Health and PE teacher, said he will miss Shoff’s presence. “Nine years ago, when we started Clark, we were all unsure about what was going to happen. But when I got together with Mr. Dall and Dr. Shoff, I knew the school was going to be a success. We’re really going to miss her, but at the same time, we wish her the best in her new endeavor.” Teacher Julie-Ann Melville said, “The Clark machine will be missing a major part — our flywheel, you could say.” Shoff’s last day at Clark is June 29. She will begin work for the district July 2. The district has already gone through paper screenings and has started interviews for her position. She said that it’s very likely that by the start of the new school year, there will be a new assistant principal. “It’s a bittersweet feeling leaving Clark. I love the school…I love Clark,” Shoff said.