John Sullivan
2004 Inductee
Barnstable High School
Hyannis, Massachusetts
Total years as a classroom teacher: 25
"I've always thought of myself as a cheerleader, who gets students worked up over an assignment or project, gives them the information on how to do it and then steps back to see what happens. I have been blessed with some very good results." - John Sullivan
John tries not to look at his students as "his accomplishments" because they succeeded with their own talent. He was simply the one who saw talent in them that they did not know they had and pushed them in the right direction.
He approaches teaching with the philosophy that hard work and dedication pay off.
"If you live long enough, you might be lucky to meet one person who actually can be described by the term "larger than life." I've been a teacher for 26 years, and no colleague of the hundreds I have known comes close to the connotations of that term - except John Sullivan." --Edward O'Toole, Colleague
"An exceptional teacher, by example, shows students how to go above and beyond just what is required. An exceptional teacher cares about students outside the school day. An exceptional teacher brings his or her passion for the subject into the classroom. John Sullivan is such a teacher." -- C. L. Fornari, Parent of Former Students
"John Sullivan's world is a wonderful world to be a part of, and I am very fortunate to have had the opportunity to be his student. There is more to tell, but in short: John is exactly the kind of teacher that every student should have, and that every teacher should aspire to be." --Andrew Rapo, Former Student
Education
1990-91 | Animation, California Institute for the Arts |
1974-76 | MFA Teaching, Massachusetts College of Art |
1973 | Film Studies, British Film Institute/ University of Sterling |
1970-74 | BFA Illustration, Massachusetts College of Art |
Teaching Experience
1978- present | Art Teacher, Drama Coach, Art and Cartooning I, II, III, Stage Craft, Drawing, Illustration, Ceramics I, II, III, Sculpture, Arts and Crafts I, II, Theater, and Play Production - Barnstable School District, Hyannis, MA |
Special Recognition
1999 | Barnstable Public Schools Contributions to the Barnstable High Performing Arts Center and the Production of the Wizard of Oz |
1991 | Association for Community Theater Excellence for Dedicated Service to Community Theater |
1979 - Present | Barnstable Public Schools Commendation for Work with the Drama Club |