Clark Burke is superintendent of Manteca Unified, arguably one of the most diverse and fastest growing school districts in California.

So how did Burke end up in the position of overseeing the education of 25,853 youth?

It’s easy.

Burke had a whale of a time in college.

Or more precisely, he was in “the whale.”

Confused?

Burke at one time was determined to have a career as a marine biologist.

But all it took was spending time in “the whale” — and being involved in other education outreach programs — to discovery his true passion was teaching children,

The road to his discovery started in high school.

Burke played water polo, soccer, and track.

And he also volunteered at a zoo in Palo Alto.

That led to a stint working with the Marine Society Institute of Redwood City.

It is where he was part of the crew that took out the “whale” bus.

The bus was loaded with a Cliff’s Notes of everything to do with whales including skeleton bones and blubber.

The main attraction — from the kids’ perspective — was the accompanying vehicle that pulled a large tank of live creatures from the ocean such as leopard sharks and rays.

“When I’m teaching science, I see the magic in kids’ eyes,” Burke said.

It was during such sessions on the “whale bus” that Burke realized that he loved teaching.

Burke’s dabbling with marine biology was even more hands on through the institute.

He learned more about the marine ecosystem on land and on sea.

“Sea lions are like dogs,” Burke said.

Burke speaks from experience.

‘Playing” with sea lions was part of his job.

But what mattered the most to Burke was how his outreach to students would change his life.

Once Burke caught “the fever” — the teaching bug, if you will — he switched from the University of California at Santa Cruz to UC at Davis.

His degree was from Davis and his doctorate from Sacramento State.

Burke taught at Harriet Lee Jr. High in Woodland. Next up, was as vice principal of Deer Valley High in Antioch. That lead to the job as principal at CW Dillard School in Elk Grove.

His last job before ending up in Manteca was as the Director of Human Resources at the Eureka Union School District in Granite Bay east of Roseville in Placer County.

Burke was hired in 2012 as a MUSD assistant superintendent. In 2018 Burke became the interim superintendent and then the word “interim” was removed.

Burke is 50.

That is a tad irrelevant except for thing.

More than half his life — 27 years, to be exact — has been with the U.S. Army as a reservist

Lt. Colonel Burke is assigned to the Military Surface Deployment & Distribution Command.

For Burke, there was never a question whether he would serve his country.

“I’ve had a good life,” Burke said. “Serving is my way of giving back.”

Burke noted “service above self is what we owe for the great opportunities” America provides.

Burke noted the Army made him realize that success is a true team effort.

The big lesson was not to talk or operate in isolation.

“It’s about building teams, not silos,” Burke said.

His military experiences over the years have helped shape his approach to helping over the education of 25,853 students.

“I know enough to know I don’t know everything,” Burke said.

Also helping round out his approach to life are other passions he has pursued over the years — backpacking, hiking, rock climbing in the Grand Tetons.

Then there is his hobby — cars, a 1984 RX7 specifically.

Burke said over the years his passions and experiences have taught him a few things.

Among them, “trust in yourself.”

And when it comes to why it is important to address the needs of students and for the district’s 3,000 plus teachers and support staff so they have what they need to help make sure each student succeeds and meets their individual potential, Burke recalls what he felt on the first day of high school.

“Do I fit in or can I adapt,” he remembered wondering. “Do I have a place.”

Those concerns helped shape the Manteca Unified vision statement: Every student works to achieve grade level standards, feels safe and is supported to realize individual success.”

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com

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