Jackie Clawson grew up in Southern California.  She danced at a local dance studio called the Pacific School of Ballet until she graduated from St. Margaret's High School in San Juan Capistrano.  She performed with her studio at community events and dance competitions.  She performed in Japan, where she got the opportunity to live with a host family and take dance classes.  During her summers, she attended different dance programs, including The Joffrey Ballet, Burklyn Ballet, and Long Beach Summer Program. 

Jackie attended Arizona State University as a dance education major.  She participated in the Herberger College Dance performances.  Jackie continued pursuing her interest in teaching dance by taking education classes and student teaching at a magnet dance high school.  

After graduation, she worked at Willow Canyon High School in Surprise, Arizona as the Dance Director for two years before coming to Carlsbad High School.  She is responsible for over 100 dancers in the Carlsbad Dance Program.  The program puts on three major productions throughout the school year; The Homecoming Halftime Show, The Lancer Dancer Showcase, and Dance Extreme.  This is her fifteenth year teaching at CHS.  She looks forward to working with such talented dancers every day.