To say Cody Clark has a busy schedule at Patrick Henry High School may be an understatement.

Clark works as a history teacher and athletic director. If that is not enough to keep him busy, he also serves as head coach for boys’ varsity soccer.

“Cody is incredibly thoughtful and passionate about promoting student leadership,” PHHS Principal Michelle Irwin stated. “Cody is responsive to student-athletes, parents and coaches and advocates for them.”

When it came to working at the school as both an educator and athletic director/boys’ soccer coach, Clark jumped at the chance.

“While I was working at San Carlos UMC I had the opportunity to come to PHHS as the girls’ JV soccer coach,” Clark noted. “After two seasons I had the opportunity to become the head coach for the boys soccer program. I just completed my ninth season as the head coach of the boys program. I have been incredibly honored to have the opportunity to work with the soccer program. The greatest joy for me comes from watching these young men accept the challenge without focusing solely on a result or outcome. We all want to win, and we have been successful in that respect, but my honest focus is more than winning. The greatest moments are found when I get to be a witness to young men growing as individuals as well as a team.”

The Patriots advanced to the second round of the CIF Division I playoffs this season.

When it comes to teaching, Clark joined Patrick Henry as an education specialist.

“I filled that role for two years and then moved over to the history department where I am currently teaching world history,” Clark added. 

Prior to coming to Patrick Henry, Clark obtained his social science teaching credential from San Diego State University in 2004.

“The last week of my student teaching assignment was my first week of Seminary at Claremont School of Theology,” Clark said. “In the spring of 2003, I spent time in Vladivostok, Russia through the United Methodist Church where I stayed with a host family and worked at an orphanage. My experience in Russia changed my life and the direction of my vocation.”

While he was in Seminary and pursuing ordination in the UMC, Clark became the youth pastor at San Carlos UMC in 2006. As Clark sees it, he was fortunate enough to spend eight years working with a variety of people in the community. “I really love this wonderful corner of San Diego,” Clark added. Following a decade career in the UMC, Clark returned to classroom education in 2014.

Part of his return to education has been making sure the Patrick Henry High athletic program keeps churning along. Clark is in his sixth year as the school’s athletic director, a job alone that keeps him quite busy.

“I really cherish my role as the athletic director here at PHHS,” Clark continued. “It does demand a lot of time as we host 28 athletic programs, each with a varsity and junior varsity level. I get to work with incredible coaches that really understand their role as educators. We have around 70 coaches involved in our athletics programs that support over 1,000 student-athletes.”

As Clark sees it, one of the greatest demands is also one of the greatest blessings of the job.

“I have a passion to be involved in young people’s lives and to empower risk taking, growth and development to encourage our student-athletes to graduate as leaders. This is a big goal of mine that goes far beyond the scoreboard, wins and losses,” Clark commented.

Even as important as his athletic duties are, Clark relishes being able to teach students about world history.

“I teach world history with our sophomores,” Clark stated. “I routinely tell my students how biased I am…that the hour they are with me in history class learning about our shared past is the most important hour of their day. Haha. I am constantly challenging students to answer the ‘So What?’ The power of learning history is about learning ‘Our Story’. We all have a story and a part to play in this great human story.”

For anyone looking at getting into teaching on the high school level and/or being a coach/athletic director, Clark has some advice for them.

“Teaching, coaching and being an administrator are not for the faint of heart,” Clark stated. “It does demand a lot of time, patience, and commitment. I am blessed to have an incredible support system with my wife and family. Honestly, without them I would not be able to be as good an educator and provide what I believe all our student-athletes should have. If you have a desire and passion to work with young people, the high school setting offers a variety of ways to get engaged with the lives of young people. A high school campus is the place to be. I cherish the connections I have with our administrative team. The faculty and staff at PHHS are inspiring to me. The recent completion of new construction, our diverse and vibrant community, and energy on campus make PHHS the only place I want to be.”

For one Cody Clark, he and Patrick Henry High School have proven the perfect match.

(Photo courtesy of Patrick Henry High School)

– Reach editor Dave Thomas at [email protected].