John Harris never planned to be a teacher. A mechanical engineer by training who ran his own consulting business, he was at a lacrosse tournament in 2006, juggling phone calls between games, when his fellow coaches offered a simple suggestion: "Why don't you just teach? You already coach so much." Two weeks later, he was interviewing for a Middle School teaching job at Shipley.

He thought he'd teach for a couple of years. "I just thought I'd check the box and say I had another cool experience," he says. "But 19 years later, I'm still here. There's something about this place that keeps people around."

For Mr. Harris, what kept him here were the students. For 14 years as a Middle School math teacher and, for the past five, as the heart and soul of Shipley's Middle School STEAM program, Mr. Harris has presided over what is arguably the coolest room in the Middle School. On any given afternoon, the STEAM lab hosts controlled creative chaos — students escaping the pressure of their day, Science Olympiad kids prepping for States, projects taking shape in every corner. "I'd like to think it's a safe space for kids to get away from the hard work they have to do in their other classes. They can put some music on, get their hands moving, and do something different. It's a vibe."

His teaching philosophy is simple and unwavering: "The kids do everything. I'm just a guide at the side of the room. If it's not kid-driven, the system is flawed. The student has to be in the driver's seat."

Beyond the classroom, John has been a foundational force in Shipley's Middle School Science Olympiad program, which has qualified for the Pennsylvania State Tournament five years running under his leadership (and earned 10th place just a few weeks ago). True to form, he gives the credit elsewhere — including the remarkable network of community coaches and scientific experts he's built, many with PhDs in their field. Over the years, John has also served as a lacrosse coach, Service Learning Coordinator, Mentoring Program Mentor, and advisor to Engineering, Chess, and Stock Clubs. For his dedication, he earned the Colleague Recognition Award.

John's next chapter is as adventurous as the one he's closing. He and his wife Kate are retiring together, selling their house, and moving into an RV to travel the continent full-time — beginning the minute 8th grade graduation ends in June. For a teacher whose philosophy has always been that students need to be in the driver's seat, there's something fitting about John finally taking the wheel himself.

John Harris taught at Shipley for 19 years, serving as a Middle School math teacher and, most recently, as Middle School STEAM Teacher. He will retire at the end of the 2025–2026 academic year.

Roles at Shipley: John taught Middle School math for 14 years before taking over the STEAM lab five years ago. He has also served as Head Coach of Middle School Science Olympiad, Middle School Service Learning Coordinator, Middle School Mentoring Program lead, lacrosse coach, and advisor to Engineering Club, Chess Club, and Stock Club.

Awards & Honors: John earned the Colleague Recognition Award during his time at Shipley.

Why did he stay so long? "Another school was never an option. Shipley's the best thing going when it comes to letting everyone be who they need to be, including myself. I just thought I'd teach for a couple years. But 19 years later, I'm still here. There's something about this place that keeps people around."

Gratitude for Shipley: John is most grateful for his wife, Kate, who supported his pivot from engineering to education. He's also grateful for the long arc of relationships Shipley makes possible — watching colleagues have children, watching those children grow up, and attending weddings of former students. "That's a really special gift that a lot of people in other places don't get to experience."

Teaching Philosophy: "The kids should do everything. I'm just a guide at the side of the room. If it's not kid-driven, the system is flawed. The kid has to be in the driver's seat."

Advice to New Teachers: "Be kind to yourself. Teachers are very, very hard on themselves. Shipley is so giving with its resources and time. We've always been a kind place."

What He'll Miss: "The kids. The adults I can keep in touch with. But seeing the new kids come in and the older kids heading off into the world — that whole cycle."

What's Next? John and his wife, Kate, are retiring together and embarking on the adventure of a lifetime. They've sold their house and, on June 9th, will move into their RV to travel the continent full-time. Their route begins in New England and winds up to the Canadian Maritimes, then cuts across Canada and down through the Dakotas to Colorado for a September wedding. From there, they'll head to the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta and meet friends in White Sands. Beyond that, John says with a smile, "we haven't figured it out yet."