Today we’d like to introduce you to John Edman.
John, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I graduated from Williams College in 1993 with a degree in Economics and a concentration in Mathematics. My wife and I (we were married two days before graduation) moved to Michigan where I taught and coached at my alma mater (Cranbrook School). We were dorm parents and I taught math and economics while coaching baseball and football. It was a great place to start and fun to become a colleague of teachers who taught me in school. We had two kids while at Cranbrook. Maureen tutored and substitute taught when she had a free moment. They worked a schedule for us so that we did not have class at the same time so one of us was always able to take care of the kiddos. After 4 years, I went back to grad school at University of Michigan where I earned a Master of Science in Statistics. I also coached baseball U of M, serving as the first base coach while also coaching the outfielders. I learned an incredible amount about baseball strategy, skill acquisition, and mentoring young people while I was there. I had amazing mentors in Chris Harrison and Geoff Zahn. In 1999, I took a job at La Jolla Country Day as a math teacher, baseball coach, and football coach, and I have been here ever since, though I no longer coach football. This is year 26 at Country Day (25 as the head varsity baseball coach). It has been an amazing experience. All three of my children attended Country Day from Pre-K or K all the way through 12th grade.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has been a challenge in the amount of work it has taken along the way. The Cranbrook job was 24-7 with living in the dorms, being a dorm parent, teaching, and coaching 2 seasons. At University of Michigan, I basically had two full time jobs (grad school plus coaching baseball). Maureen took care of all three of our kids at that point almost entirely on her own as I was always at work. I don’t know how we did it. At Country Day, of course teaching is a full time job, but you could argue that the coaching is nearly a full time job too. Baseball is so good out here and our kids are so driven and excited about the game that in order to compete, we really work at it in the weight room and on the field both in season and during the off season. It is lots of fun, and it has been lots of work. Fortunately Maureen loves baseball as much as I do!
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a high school math teacher and a high school baseball coach. I teach Math of Finance, Linear Algebra, and Calculus. What I really enjoy is mentoring young people, whether in the classroom or on the field. I am most proud of helping students and athletes to develop character traits that will serve them, their families, and the world better. I don’t know that I am different than anyone else who does what I do. I just do my best every day.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
1) Be sure your first job is a big challenge. It makes everything else seem easier after that.
2) Try to have perspective on what you are doing and why you are doing it. I just try to serve God and fulfill his purpose for me everyday.
3) Try to learn something every day. Don’t get complacent even as your career progresses.
