Karen Kaiser Clark

International lecturer, consultant and author Karen Kaiser Clark presented to district elementary teachers and support staff at Apple Valley High School.

Armed with an array of transparencies and a pointed sense of humor, Clark spoke of the benefits and opportunities of change, despite humanity's natural resistance to accept change.Change is also the topic of her third self-published book, "Life is Change - Growth is Optional."

The book is connected to Clark's earlier works, "Where have all the Children Gone?"and "Grow Deep - Not Just Tall."

A large part of Clark's message is to acknowledge life's facts and experiences - no matter how unpleasant - and to use them as an opportunity for personal growth.

"We are just darn fools if we don't celebrate what we have, rather than bemoan what we wished we had," said Clark.

While we can't always control the forces acting on our lives, we can control our reactions to them, according to Clark.Everyone views the world through a specific "lens," and we can adjust that lens to focus on positive or negative aspects, said Clark.

"I'm excited to help people make wiser choices and to realize there's so much good in the world," said Clark."It's not a lot of Pollyanna stuff.It's rooted in a lot of reality."

She shuns the term "motivational speaker" because she wants to be more than a feel-good cheerleader.

"I'm a teacher.
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Clark has lived what is in her books and lectures.In 1985, five months after her father died of a coronary, her mother was killed in a plane crash.She chose to grow through the situation rather than become bitter.

Clark, who struggles with dyslexia, was categorized as "one of the dumb kids" in elementary school.

"We all have assets and liabilities and you've got to figure out how to make the most of your talents," said Clark.

Though some teachers said she couldn't make it in college, Clark graduated with honors from Western Michigan University with a bachelor's degree in physical education.She attended college on an athletic scholarship for springboard diving in an era when women were not universally recognized for athletics.

After teaching and coaching for four years in Michigan, she moved to Minnesota and began teaching in her minor field, health education.

Clark developed a program in Bloomington that became a model for the state in wellness, "before anyone started using the term."She then went on to become a consultant for the state Department of Education.

She was invited to do workshops for teachers.She quickly developed a clientele outside of education.Aside from lecturing, Clark taught at the University of Minnesota in a graduate program.

"One of the first things they said was, ‘What have you written?' " she said.

That inspired Clark to write her first book.After being turned down by four publishers, her husband convinced her to self-publish."Where Have All the Children Gone" is now in its 10th printing.

"I don't have answers," said Clark."I don't tell people what to do."

She said her parenting experience taught her that the heavy-handed approach does not work.

"There are some basic things that we share in common," said Clark."A need for a sense of dignity.A need to know we count.And a need to be plugged in in relationships that nurture growth and a sense of faith in tomorrow.We're very similar.We just meet those needs very differently."

Clark did two sessions, 2 1/2 hours apiece, at Apple Valley High School so all elementary staff could be accommodated.She said typically she will only do one session, but since Apple Valley is her home town and teaching is her background, she consented to do both events.The audience was comprised of teachers, cooks, bus drivers and other staff who will have contact with elementary students.

"I believe anyone that touches a child in our system makes a difference," said Clark.

Clark has lived in Apple Valley more than 33 years and has been lecturing "a little over 25 years."Last Thursday was the first time she's presented in Apple Valley.Her lectures have brought her places throughout the United States and Canada, including in front of the Pentagon.She has given presentations in Okinawa, the Phillipines, Germany, Italy and many other places around the world.

So why did it take so long for her to speak at home?Clark said the reason is found in the wisdom of an old saying.

"You can't be a prophet in your own land," she said.

The mentality is that speakers need to come from outside the county, according to Clark.Since she wants to begin limiting her travel and work closer to home, Clark is now offering to meet people at the airport so they can tell the crowd, "I just picked her up at the airport."