
“There are a lot of incredible Gobles graduates who are contributing and having stellar careers. Gobles Public Schools made me who I am, I owe it a lot,” said Dr. Nicholas Clement, Gobles Class of 1972.
Prior to earning his doctorate from the University of Arizona, Dr. Nicholas Clement earned his master’s degree at the University of Nevada, and his bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan.
Upon completing his academic career, Dr. Clement held various positions in education, including that of a special education teacher, assistant superintendent, and many more. Dr. Clement is currently serving as the Ernest McFarland Citizen’s Chair in Education for Northern Arizona University.
Prior to earning his doctorate from the University of Arizona, Dr. Nicholas Clement earned his master’s degree at the University of Nevada, and his bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan.
Upon completing his academic career, Dr. Clement held various positions in education, including that of a special education teacher, assistant superintendent, and many more. Dr. Clement is currently serving as the Ernest McFarland Citizen’s Chair in Education for Northern Arizona University.

.Additionally, Clement also conceived the concept for Legendary Teacher Day, after realizing the need to recognize the powerful force that teachers have on our lives.
Celebrated on the fourth Thursday in September, Legendary Teacher Day is a day to honor and reflect on the significant influence that teachers have on their students. Clement expects the day to become nationally-recognized in the near-future.
“The idea that teachers can impact literally half of your life is pretty powerful. I needed to pay it forward, I needed to elevate and promote the profession, and stick the spotlight on the teachers that everyone has in their lives,” said Clement
A published author, Dr. Clement has also written several books, including titles such as Legendary Teacher Stories: How to Catch a Swamp Frog, The Reading Pig, and The Reading Pig Goes to School.
Celebrated on the fourth Thursday in September, Legendary Teacher Day is a day to honor and reflect on the significant influence that teachers have on their students. Clement expects the day to become nationally-recognized in the near-future.
“The idea that teachers can impact literally half of your life is pretty powerful. I needed to pay it forward, I needed to elevate and promote the profession, and stick the spotlight on the teachers that everyone has in their lives,” said Clement
A published author, Dr. Clement has also written several books, including titles such as Legendary Teacher Stories: How to Catch a Swamp Frog, The Reading Pig, and The Reading Pig Goes to School.

Legendary Teacher Stories: How to Catch a Swamp Frog, features the account of two Gobles teachers who Clement credits as having positively impacted his own life: Mr. Mike Potts, and Mr. Gary Serrell. Both of the Gobles teachers have been recognized for their influence with an entire chapter dedicated to each of them in Clement’s book.
“They built relationships, they made learning fun, they enjoyed the profession. Whether they knew it or not, I picked up on that,” explained Clement.
Clement also had some powerful insight for successful students, “Always be curious. Know that you’re not the smartest person in the room, recognize that there is always someone who knows more and that you can learn from them. Want to know things.”
“They built relationships, they made learning fun, they enjoyed the profession. Whether they knew it or not, I picked up on that,” explained Clement.
Clement also had some powerful insight for successful students, “Always be curious. Know that you’re not the smartest person in the room, recognize that there is always someone who knows more and that you can learn from them. Want to know things.”