Dos Pueblos High School Physics Teacher Clara Thomann passed away on Dec. 23, 2024. Thomann, who was six months pregnant at the time of her death, slipped and fell over 150 feet while hiking near Plakias, Crete, in Greece during a winter break vacation. Thomann and her unborn child, Theodoro Thomann, did not survive their injuries. This loss was felt within the DPHS community.

To honor her life, a Celebration of Life Potluck will be held this Saturday, from 2-5 p.m. at DPHS. All students and families are invited to attend and reflect on Thomann’s legacy.

Some of Thomann’s students shared the positive impact she had on their lives.

For Tara Jones (10), who took physics her freshman year, Thomann left a lasting impression both inside and outside the classroom.
“On the first day, I remember her just seeming very chill and approachable,” Jones said. “She was always that kind of teacher that was really easy to talk to, and she was very much a safe person.”
Jones reflected on Thomann’s unique teaching style, including daily walks with the class where she would ask “fun conversation questions.” Even after Jones was no longer in her class, Thomann remained a source of support.
“One time, it was in between the end of school, and I had rehearsal, and I forgot to bring food,” Jones said. “So, I went to her classroom, and I was like, ‘Ms. T, do you have any extra snacks? Because I’m starving.’ And she gave me a bag of chips from her own lunch.”
Jones also recollected Thomann’s interest in her personal life.
“She knew I was involved in theater,” Jones said. “She knew I was in ‘Anything Goes,’ and she would always ask me about it, and be like, ‘Hey, Tara, how’s it going? When are your performances?’ I think she even came to one of the performances. I thought that was really sweet, that she always had that one thing she knew I really loved and she would ask about it.”
Thomann’s patience and adaptability in the classroom also stood out to Jones.
“We did not have the easiest class,” Jones said. “Our class was a little rowdy, and we were very talkative, and she was always very patient with us. I really appreciate teachers that, when they get a [rowdy] class, they’ll have fun with it and still find a way to be productive. She was one of those teachers, and I really loved that about her.”

For Micah Barnhart (11), who had Thomann during her first year as an official teacher, Thomann’s efforts to connect with students stood out to him.
“She always found a way to connect with us and then sit down and have a conversation, not even about school—just about our lives,” Barnhart said. “That means a lot, because a lot of teachers don’t do that.”
Barnhart recalled moments when Thomann’s encouragement made a difference.
“My freshman year, I was a bit loud and obnoxious in her class, and she always kept giving me more chances and saying she believed I could do anything if I put my mind to it,” Barnhart said.
A particularly meaningful memory for Barnhart was when he wrote Thomann a card after feeling like a “nuisance” in her class.
“I wrote her a card and dropped it off because I felt really bad,” Barnhart shared. “Then, she read my card, and she was like, ‘That was super sweet, but you were always a good kid.’”

Kaitlyn Mohammed (10) also highlighted Thomann’s dedication to fostering strong relationships with her students.
“I remember the first day of the second semester; I walked in, and she came around, and immediately, right off the bat, I could tell she was really into bonding,” Mohammed said. “She really enjoyed talking to everyone and getting to know everyone the first week. She also encouraged us to bond with our classmates, which is how I met one of my very good friends.”
Mohammed emphasized how Thomann’s personal interest in her students made a lasting impact on her.
“I know that she really tried to connect with all of her students,” Mohammed said. “I think I can say, especially for me and my friends, she really tried to know what was going on in our lives and just be present. She put in more effort than your average teacher would.”
Mohammed also shared a memory of how she and her friend made a cake for Thomann at the end of the year.
“We talked a lot in her class; we were obviously very focused, but we talked a lot and kind of felt bad,” Mohammed said. “So, we made her a cake as an apology for being chaotic in her class the whole year. I don’t think she really minded because she was a chill teacher, but it was fun seeing the smile on her face and having a good laugh with her.”
Reflecting on her final interaction with Thomann, Mohammed said she can’t help but feel grateful.
“The last time [my friend and I] visited her was the week before winter break at the pep rally,” she said. “Unfortunately, that was the last time we ever saw her, which was really sad to look back on, but it’s also kind of nice because we went in to get a life update from her. She told us she was pregnant and showed us the ultrasounds. It was a really pleasant experience.”

Kate Mebane (12) shared how Thomann’s influence extended beyond the classroom. Mebane first met Thomann during her student-teaching year and credits her with inspiring a love for physics.
“I was very stressed about taking a science class because I never really felt I was good at science,” Mebane said. “One of the first days, we did a project where we drew a picture of what came to mind when we thought of a scientist. Everyone drew an Albert Einstein-looking guy. Then, she told us, ‘Any of you could be a scientist. It’s not just this perception people have.’ That really stuck with me.”
Mebane, who plans to pursue a physics major in college, attributes her confidence in the subject to Thomann.
“That class was quite impactful for me,” Mebane said. “I’m going to be pursuing a physics major, and a big part of that is because of her. She gave me the confidence to feel like I could be a scientist. I never had confidence in the sciences, but having her as a teacher made me feel like someone believed in me.”
Thomann left a profound impact on the DPHS community. As students reflect on her life, they remember her not only as a teacher, but as a source of kindness and inspiration.