Clara Floyd's passion and focus is on students in America's public schools. She took office as President of the Maryland State Teachers Association (MSTA) in August 2006 after serving as Vice President since 1999 and as Treasurer from 1993 to 1999. A classroom veteran, she previously taught English and reading at Pyle Middle School in Montgomery County (Bethesda), Maryland from 1987 until 1996. She taught all sixth grade subjects at Wayside Elementary School, also in Montgomery County, for 11 years and was previously an elementary teacher in Chicago and its environs.

She began her education career as a public school secretary in the Orangeburg, SC public schools and then worked as an administrative assistant in the Graduate School of South Carolina State College.

Floyd earned a Bachelor's degree at Allen University in Columbia, SC and a Masters of Education at the National-Louis University in Evanston, IL. In addition, she has completed post graduate studies at the University of Maryland in College Park, MD; Trinity College in Washington, DC; the University of Illinois; and Northeastern University.

Currently, Floyd serves on the steering committees for Maryland Children's Action Network and the Maryland Education Coalition.