Los Paseos Elementary School teacher John McPherson is
recognized by county education officials
Morgan Hill – Some might call John McPherson a modern day “Renaissance Man,” as his list of activities in the classroom range from technology to art to music to math, but his students and the students he shares with teaching partner Margaret Rodrigues, just call him “Mr. Mac.”
McPherson, who was selected by the Santa Clara County board of education as one of its 30 Teachers of the Year during a ceremony Sept. 25, says today’s educators need to be versatile, especially elementary school teachers who cover a broad range of subjects.
McPherson and Rodrigues are fifth-grade teachers at Los Paseos Elementary School. They are team teachers who share their two classrooms and approximately 60 students.
“But all teachers, regardless of subject or grade level, make more decisions more quickly than most air traffic controllers,” he said. “You can have your lesson plans, your curriculum all prepared, but you continually have to make adjustments, based on the needs of the students.”
One of the most rewarding things about his career, he says, is what happens after his students have left the classroom. He said when he hears about a student’s success later, especially if they are the ones to tell him, it means so much to him.
“When they come back and tell me that some little thing, some experience in my classroom that may not have even seemed that significant to me, led them to go on to do something, and they remember that experience, then that’s what it’s all about for me,” he said.
Even before he set foot in the classroom as a teacher, he knew all about the joys and the challenges of the profession. Coming from a family of educators may have had something to do with his choice of career. His father was a principal, his mother a school nurse, and of his four siblings, three are teachers.
When the Morgan Hill Unified School District Board of Education honored his selection as teacher of the year, McPherson was quick to thank his family and note that all five McPherson siblings earned master’s degrees. He also thanked Rodrigues.
“I’ve learned so much from him over the years,” Rodrigues said. “In the beginning, I was his mentor, though it quickly became a case of the teacher learning from the student. I think one of the reasons this (team teaching) works so well for us is that we compliment each other. We think differently. I think it was really apparent when we were in staff development together and had to work a math problem. We approached it in totally different ways.”
The arrangement has worked for them at several schools, including Nordstrom Elementary School.
“I feel like I have 60 students, not 30,” he said. “All those kids are my kids, too.”
Teaching in a team allows Rodrigues and McPherson to switch off, teaching their combined classes their specialties. McPherson, who teaches the students math and science, said they collaborate on annual musical productions and special projects, such as the multi-media presentation “Two Rivers Run Through It,” about Coyote Valley that has won several awards and recognition for Rodrigues, McPherson and their students.
Los Paseos Principal Rhoda Wolfskehl said she is fortunate to have McPherson and Rodrigues, who was selected as Teacher of the Year last year, on her staff.
“What I think really comes across to those who know John is passion for education and his love of kids,” she said. “The fact that he is a lifelong learner himself makes him an ideal role model for his students. He’s also wonderful outside of the classroom, where he offers his support and the benefit of his experience to the staff. When I came on board last year, in the middle of the school year, John immediately made me feel welcome, helped me quickly become a part of the school culture.”
A classroom teacher for 20 years, McPherson has taught fourth, fifth and sixth grades with his multiple-subject teaching credential. He also has a master’s degree in instructional technology.
He has been featured in California Teacher Magazine, and has been nominated by his students and featured six times in “Who’s Who Among American Teachers.” His students nominated him four times as a Disney Outstanding
Teacher, and he was twice nominated for National Science Teacher of the Year. In 1997, he was selected as GATE Teacher of the Year by the California Association for the Gifted.
In addition to his honors, McPherson has shared his knowledge with others through a variety of organizations.
He has served as a fellow at the Krause Center for Innovation, a fellow at the Tech Museum of Innovation, and at Johns Hopkins University. He was a team leader with the Marine Science Program at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, a California Mentor with the MHUSD and a demonstration teacher, presenter and consultant for the California GATE program.
Marilyn Dubil covers education and law enforcement for The Times. Reach her at (408) 779-4106 ext. 202 or at md****@*************es.com.
