John retired in 2015 after 37 years of teaching grades 5-12.  He was most recently at Falcon Ridge Middle School in Apple Valley, where he taught 8th grade bands, jazz ensemble, and percussion ensemble. John was named 2013-2014 "Music Educator of the Year" by the Minnesota Music Educators Association (MMEA).  Under His direction, the Falcon Ridge Middle School Jazz Ensemble was awarded numerous honors at the UW-Eau Claire and UW-La Crosse Jazz Festivals, and appeared at the MMEA Mid-Winter Clinic.   As an adjudicator, he has judged throughout the U.S. and Canada. John was an MMEA Board member as jazz chair and has conducted both the Minnesota All-State Jazz Ensemble and the MBDA Middle Level State Honors Jazz Ensemble.