(June 14, 2007) — English teacher John Bailey will be departing from the Clark staff this year after his first and only year of being a full time teacher at Clark. Bailey first came to Clark to fill in as a long-term substitute for English teacher Melanie Martin while she was on maternity leave last year. This year he became a full time English teacher, taking over Diana McGrath’s classes while she was on maternity leave as well. Bailey moved to California five years ago from South Carolina along with his wife, Delia, who had an opportunity to complete her Ph.D. at Caltech in Pasadena. In early June she completed her Ph.D. and was offered a job at George Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, prompting the Baileys to plan their move to Missouri. By the beginning of July, Bailey hopes to be completely moved out of California and into his new home in St. Louis. “I’m ready for a new place and a new experience,” Bailey said. Prior to teaching here, Bailey worked as a journalist for the La Cañada Outlook for a couple of years, a job that was to him less stressful than teaching. He also said that living in California is certainly different than any other place he has lived in, since the state is bigger and busier. Students are surprised about his departure and short-lived time as a Clark teacher. “He was once of those really good teachers,” junior Billy Paulson said. “The brightest candles burn out the fastest.” This year Bailey took on the role of teaching both regular American Literature and AP American Literature. As of now, he and his wife have been searching for a home in Missouri. They have gone to St. Louis and to become familiarized with the area. When asked about a highlight from teaching this year, Bailey wanted to respond in a different direction. “Something that strikes me after teaching for a year is how I feel I know all of my students so well now compared to the sea of strange faces I saw here on the first day.”