Every month, Lawn Guard Community chooses an outstanding teacher from the Greater Tulsa Metro Area to be their Teacher of the Month. Lawn Guard donates $100 to the teacher that they can use for their classroom.
For April, Lawn Guard Community chose John McCoy, a social studies teacher at Rogers High School in Tulsa. We asked him some questions about community, how to support teachers, and his favorite outdoor activities.
What subjects and grade levels do you teach at Rogers High School?
I teach US Government and Oklahoma History to freshmen, AP Human Geography to sophomores, and a college prep class to seniors.
How do you define the word “community”?
My definition of community is the interconnected network of individuals living near and interacting with one another. Especially now, we realize that we are all connected despite our differences, and recognizing that connection is essential to progressing as a society.
We do not choose the community we are a part of; the person who held the door for you is just as much a part of your community as the person who cut you off in traffic. Acknowledging the people we see and those we look past is the first step in fostering a more respectful and healthy society.
What does it mean to you to be the Lawn Guard Teacher of the Month for April?
I consider it an honor and I am full of appreciation for Lawn Guard and other local businesses that support and acknowledge teachers and educators in our community.
What are the specific challenges teachers face right now?
Right now, specific challenges teachers are facing are finding a balance in the new normal of distance learning. Many teachers, myself included, are having figure out how to balance spending time with their families as well as providing quality education to their students. Like the population as a whole, we as teachers were not prepared for this pandemic, so many of us are scrambling to adjust our lesson plans to best meet the needs of our students.
How do you think people can support teachers right now?
I believe the best way that people can support teachers right now is by giving them a healthy amount of grace and patience. We are all in this together, so if teachers are not as responsive as parents would like, there is probably a legitimate reason for it. Another way for parents of students to support teachers is to encourage their children to participate in distance learning to the best of their ability.
Finally, this being an election year, I highly encourage people to support teachers at the polling booths. If people truly care about the well-being of teachers, they will vote for pro-education candidates at the local, state, and national level.
What is your favorite outdoor activity?
My favorite outdoor activity is grilling. I grew up having food prepared on a Hasty-Bake charcoal grill and I am glad I can continue the tradition
What do you like to do outdoors with friends and family?
I enjoy taking walks, camping, hiking, and spending time with friends and family around a fire pit or at a barbecue.
What do you like to do in your yard?
I really enjoy spending time with my daughter in our yard. She is one year old, and she loves exploring the outdoors and our yard is a great place to do that.
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Do you know a teacher who would be a great Lawn Guard Community Teacher of the Month? Just fill out the form below!