Chemistry of teaching

Everyone has that one teacher who sparks a love for learning, and one special teacher does this figuratively and physically for LPHS students.

John Sherrick is one of the two teachers at La Porte High School who teaches Chemistry. He is originally from Chesterton, Indiana, attending Chesterton High School, and he earned his teaching degree at Wabash College located in Crawfordsville, Indiana.

Sherrick started his journey as a teacher in his freshman year of college, where he was debating on whether he should be a chemistry or music teacher. Sherrick decided to major in Chemistry and went on to graduate with a Bachelor in Chemistry, a minor in music, and an area of concentration in education in 1992.

Sherrick began teaching at LPHS in 1995 and for the last 25 years has taught AP Chemistry and Chemistry.

“My 25 years in teaching at LPHS has allowed me to play a small role in helping facilitate and guide students down their education pathway, helping them to take that next big step on to their college and career choices,” Sherrick said.

The choice to become a teacher has been one that he has always enjoyed.

“Teaching can be a very rewarding and satisfying profession. I enjoy that teaching one day to the next is never the same, and each new day brings about new challenges and new opportunities,” Sherrick said.

For decades, students have loved being D.10 with Sherrick, learning from one of the truly great teachers.

“Mr. Sherrick is a wonderful teacher that has helped me understand and like Chemistry, “ Payton Joseph, junior, said.

Outside of school, Sherrick enjoys enjoying spending time with his wife, Maureen, and his two children, Jacob and Rachel. They attend New Prairie High School and are both heavily involved in the music program there, so some of his hobbies include attending and partaking in their extracurricular activities at NPHS. Beyond that, he enjoys sporting activities and outdoor recreational activities, notably camping.

 LPHS is fortunate to have teachers that are as committed and intelligent as John Sherrick.