Katherine Clophus: Instilling students with a love of learning is a priority

Published 8:10 am Thursday, June 22, 2023

She previously taught three science classes – biology, environmental science and physical science – and is now the principal of the school’s 9th grade campus.

After graduating from SHS herself, Clophus attended LSU. She then moved back to Sulphur, got married and started her family. She came to realize that working was a necessity for her. “I quickly realized I was not the stay-at-home type but I was not sure what I wanted to do.”

Throughout her life, she was encouraged by her mom to look into education as a career. “For years my mom would say, you would be a great teacher. I was not so sure.”

Despite hesitation, she attended McNeese for her masters (and eventually Liberty University for her doctorate). While finishing up her masters program, she learned about an open science position at SHS. “I went in for an interview with Mrs. Barbara Culpepper and was hired on the spot,” she recalled. “She tells me now that she just knew I would be good in the classroom.”

In her current position, Clophus supports both students and teachers.

For students, she works to create an environment for them to “learn, grow, and feel safe.”

“I want students to feel that school is something that is happening with them and not something that is happening to them.”

Her mission when working with students is to give them perspective. “I enjoy getting them to see life in different ways, getting them to understand the importance of education and why we push so hard,” she said.

She ensures that their education extends into their everyday lives through life lessons.

In fact, instilling her students with a love for learning outside of the classroom is a priority for Clophus. For her, this work is a surefire way to create an educated community.

“My goal was to always reach students, to get them to believe in themselves, to urge them to reach higher, for some to fight their way out of their current circumstances using education as the weapon.”

“I encourage all students to get some sort of post-secondary training. Not everyone will follow the same path and that is okay, but get trade school training, go to hair school, barber school, on the job training, four-year university,” she explained. “Find what fits for you and pursue it. It takes us all for a community to thrive.”

The students on Sulphur High’s 9th grade campus enrich her, and she sees this as a blessing. “They make me laugh and sometimes I cry, but in all of it they teach me lessons about life that sometimes I didn’t know I needed… teenages have so much more to offer than what social media would suggest.”

Working with the educators on campus is one of her favorite parts of the job. Clophus makes it a point to ensure their jobs are as easy as possible. “My job is to make sure all they have to worry about is delivering meaningful instruction to all students.”

She gives them the space they need to flourish by taking to heart their opinions and suggestions, and using them to make thoughtful decisions for the campus.

“They are the experts,” she said. “When they feel supported and feel heard, the classroom part takes care of itself.

She advises teachers to not be discouraged by outside opinions and the increasingly laborious workloads. “I know the field of education has gotten harder, but I promise you it is worth it.”

The prize is changing the lives of students. “The positive impacts you have on your students are life long.”

In the fall, Clophus will begin her 16th year as an educator. Until then, she plans to spend quality time on the beach with her husband and two daughters.