Board of Trustees
John has spent a lifetime in Saint Paul Public Schools (SPPS). He attended Scheffer and Jackson Grade Schools, as well as Mechanic Arts High School.
He is a graduate of the University of Minnesota with B.S. and Masters degrees.
John retired after 34 years teaching in 2000. He then was elected to his first term with the Saint Paul School Board in 2001, and began his third term in 2010.
For his experience as a SPPS educator, John includes both classroom instruction and coaching. He taught English and Social Studies at: Como Park Junior High, Mechanic Arts High School, Washington High School and Como Park High School. During his teaching career he earned honors including:
- 1990 – Winner of the "Mr. M" award presented by the Mechanic Arts Alumni Letter Club.
- 1996 – Winner of the Junior Achievement Teacher of the Year for the Upper Midwest.
- 2000 – Recognized by Saint Paul Public Schools for 34 years as a devoted educator and outstanding and committed coach.
John served SPPS as a hockey coach for 31 years and a baseball coach for five years. He is the longest serving varsity hockey coach in conference history. During his coaching career he earned honors including:
- Induction into the Minnesota High School Hockey Coaches Hall of Fame in 1998.
- Twice named Saint Paul City Conference Hockey Coach of the Year.
- Served as President of the Saint Paul Coaches Association for 12 years.
LIfetime member of the Saint Paul Federation of Teachers, AFL-CIO. Honored in 2000 by the North End News for making a positive difference in his community. Former delegate to the Saint Paul Trades & Labor Assembly. Member of the Saint Paul Rotary Club.
John has received a certificate on Governance issued by the National Council on Teacher Retirement (NCTR) in July 2007.