Our Alumni Spotlight for the month of September is no stranger to Victoria ISD. David Clemons attended Smith Elementary School, DeLeon Elementary School, and Crain Middle School before graduating from Victoria High School in 1991.
After graduating from Victoria High School, Clemons received his Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from the University of Houston-Victoria. He then went on to also earn his Master of Arts from UHV in History/Education.
Clemons is currently the Assistant Principal at VISD Success Academy. Previously, he taught history at Victoria East High School and last year marked his 22nd year of teaching.
The #TeamVISD Alum gives credit to his former teachers for helping to further solidify his decision to pursue a career in education. “I always loved history,” said Clemons, “and I had some great teachers that cultivated that love into a future career path.”
When asked about a teacher, coach, or adult that left the largest impact on his life, Clemons named Mrs. Ford, his 7th grade reading teacher, Mrs. Morrell, his high school French 1 and French 2 teacher, and Mrs. Day, his high school English 1 and English 3 teacher. “I had some great teachers who were passionate about their subject,” he said. “I was encouraged to consider education by several influential teachers.”
Being a student in the Victoria Independent School District from kindergarten to 12th grade, going on to teach at VISD for 22 years, and becoming an assistant principal in the same district is quite an accomplishment, and Clemons could not think of a better place to have grown in his profession. “Being a lifelong Victoria resident, this was the perfect place to start my career in education,” he said.
Clemons not only taught on the same campus where he was once a student, but was also able to work with the educators he once learned from. “When I first started teaching, it was a great experience working alongside many of my former teachers,” he said. “The time I spent teaching on my own high school campus was very special. Many memories from being a student, and later being a teacher on that same campus, gave me a fantastic teaching experience.”
Clemons leaves advice for current and future VISD students, emphasizing the importance of utilizing the opportunities they are given. “Understand that school affords you many opportunities,” he said. “Choose wisely to take advantage of those opportunities. Don’t waste the chance.”
Thank you, David, for being a part of #TeamVISD!
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Know a VISD alum that we should feature? We want to share their story! If you know or are a VISD alum, email us at visdcommunications@visd.net with your contact information and we will reach out.
Graisyn Nieto is the communications specialist at Victoria ISD.