Sarah Clemens (Ruddock) graduated from Lapeer East High School in 2001 and loved every minute she spent in school across the district.
So much, in fact, that when the opportunity arose, Clemens jumped at the opportunity and took the job as dean of students at Murphy Elementary School at the tail end of the 2024-25 school year.
"Growing up in Lapeer Community Schools, I learned the value of hard work, community, and leadership," said Clemens. "Whether it was studying for the next Bio test, building a float, volunteering for NHS, playing on the softball team, or leading the Color Guard, my experiences were all encouraged and celebrated by the amazing teachers I had along the way. I wasn’t the most popular kid in school by any means, but I always felt like I belonged. There were so many opportunities to be part of a team, and we accomplished so much together- whether it was a sports team, the band, or a school improvement club.
"Today, as dean of students at Murphy, I constantly draw on that foundation. Our team strives to teach our students how to work together, how to be problem solvers, and how to lead. Lapeer Community Schools didn't just teach me subject matter - it taught me how to work hard, lead, and care for others."
Clemens, who also went to Mayfield for Kindergarten and Bishop Kelley for first grade through eighth grade (but went to White Jr. High for Band with Mr. Sturm), said Football Fridays and pep assemblies "were always the best."
"Mr. Eckersley and Mrs. Nam were both amazing math teachers and Mr. Eckersley ran SSI (Students for School Improvement), which was a lot of fun," said Clemens. "I was just talking about the cell models that we created in Mrs. Pittsley's class the other day. It was such a fun and memorable project. Mr. White and Mr. Gormley were full of all the goofy jokes we could handle and made learning about Biology and Chemistry so much fun. Mr. Harasim once pointed out that I wrote an entire paper about 'A Separate Peace' with the word 'separate' spelled incorrectly, and I've never made that mistake again. Mr. Dobos was the best band teacher we could have asked for, a little too strict for some people, but his passion for music and high expectations were something that I carried into adulthood.
"I'm sure I'm forgetting some at the moment. I had so many wonderful teachers."
After graduation, Clemens went to the University of Michigan and lived in the Ann Arbor area for the next 10 years. When she graduated, she took additional courses in Early Childhood Education and began working as a director for Learning Care Group.
When Clemens met her husband, she found herself moving back into the area, living in Davison for the last 14 years and just recently moving to Lapeer, which is where they both grew up. The couple's three daughters are at Murphy, Rolland-Warner and Lapeer High School.
Now fully entrenched in her work at Murphy while raising a family, Clemens anxiously watches the newest generation of Lapeer students with enthusiasm and caution.
"My first piece of advice to current Lapeer students is the same that I’ve always told my daughters - have courage and be kind," Clemens said. "No matter what stage of life you’re in, it’s good advice. Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there and get involved. Every time you join a new club or team, you meet new people, have new experiences, hear different points of view, and make more memories.
"The other piece of advice I have is one that I always struggled with myself - don’t be afraid to ask for help. Your teachers, counselors, and all the staff at school, are there to help you succeed. They come to work every day because they’re passionate about what they do and care about their students so much."
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