From a 5 year-old running footballs to the Arroyo Grande High School quarterback, to walking the halls of AGHS as ASB President, to expanding the AP Environmental Science class, to helping students through hardships—the AG way runs deep in Administrator Clark Goosen’s veins. However, goodbyes are in order as Goosen’s departure with AGHS is in the next coming months.
“I was constantly at the high school and looked up [to] and admired [the players and the coaches of the football team]. It [was] like a family,” Goosen said. “ I got to spend time around good mentors and good people and learned the AG way.”
Goosen’s father, Tom Goosen, held the title of AGHS football coach when Goosen was young. Growing up around football, it wasn’t a surprise when Goosen joined the team his freshman year. However, his football career was cut short.
“Unfortunately, my junior and senior year I broke [a] different leg each time—one [was] my femur,” Goosen said. “But, I didn’t quit [football]. I stuck around and did what I could for the team.”
Goosen demonstrated the perseverance that enabled him to accept an open position at AGHS when it became available.
“While I was busing tables in Santa Barbara, I [had] finished a quarter early from school, and I got a call about taking over a class [at AGHS],” Goosen said. “[The class] had [been] rolling sub after sub. So, I got on [the job] and started [teaching with] no credential.”
Goosen’s mother, father, and sister were all teachers, so he was destined to be in the classroom at some point in his life. But, he knew his future entailed a destination beyond the classroom.
“I love teaching. I was passionate about [science], but that’s not why I enjoyed teaching,” Goosen said. “I enjoyed working with students.”
Goosen’s love of helping students led him down the path of becoming an administrator.
“We all have different challenges in life and different barriers,” Goosen said. “I selfishly am fulfilled by helping students overcome those barriers.”
Jayce Dawson (‘25) and another student ran into a conflict when the student made an accusation against Dawson. Goosen was put on their case.
“Mr. Goosen didn’t come into [the situation] with a bias,” Dawson said. “He went to each of my teachers to talk to them individually, [and] tried to understand [me] more before coming to [me and the other student].”
Goosen’s compassion and love for his students make him well-liked by everyone on campus.
“He’s so kind,” English teacher Laura Wade said. “The [students] say, ‘Hey Goosen. Hey Goosen.’ It’s not like [the students say], ‘Oh, there he is, go the other way.’”
Wade has known Goosen since he was a ball-boy for the AGHS football team, and she even had the pleasure of having him in her class his freshman year.
“He was a really good student,” Wade said. “He didn’t miss any assignments, and he was always very polite [and] respectful. I really enjoyed having him.”
Wade’s respect for Goosen has flourished as she has gotten to know him as an adult. She appreciates his love for his students and has nothing but good things to say about him.
“He’s always a voice for the students and a voice for doing what’s right,” Wade said. “I think what I admire about him the most is he’s very ethical and he’s very moral. He just likes people, and he wants to do a good job.”
Goosen’s connection to AGHS students, and his history with AGHS overall made him hesitant to apply to the principal position at Monarch Grove Elementary—where Goosen will be working once his replacement is found.
“I’ve established such strong relationships with a lot of students [at AGHS],” Goosen said. “That’s where my mind went first when I even started to apply to this job. [I thought] ‘I hope X and Y students are [going to] be okay.’ And the reality of it is they’re going to be.”
From running through the halls with a football in hand, to walking through the halls with a backpack resting on his back, to biking through the halls with a walkie talkie plastered to his hip, Goosen’s influence not only remains in the halls of AGHS but the people within them.
