This is the official website for John Ross Hart IV, AKA John Ross, John
or Johnny Hart, formerly of Woodland, Winters, Alameda, and Hercules, California, now married to Laury and father to Liam
living in Queen Creek, Arizona where he teaches Social Studies at Mountain Vista Elementary School.
Welcome to my official website. If you haven't heard from me in awhile you
will be happy to know I am alive, well, and happier than ever in beautiful Arizona. Moving here
at mid-life was the toughest decision of my life but is also proving to be my best as well. As a Christian,
I am a firm believer that God has a plan for everyone. I was meant to be here.
Sometimes we wonder why things happen as they do. I had planned for many years
to go back and get my teaching credential. After several false starts I finally did, attending St.
Mary's College in Moraga, California. When I came out, there were no fulltime jobs available
for 53-year-old new teachers holding credentials in Social Studies and English-as-a-Second Language.
But there were jobs in Arizona and they wanted me so we made the move. Like I said, it was the
best move I ever made.
I was born and raised in California, spent my young adult and early mid-adult life as a California resident.
So as you can imagine, it was hard for me to accept the fact I would have to go someplace else to realize my dream.
Many of you know I have always had a love affair with Oregon and the Pacific Northwest. But God had
a better plan. Who would have thought, Arizona?
It helps to have strong support. My wife, Laury, was a fourth-generation East Bay
Area resident and still has family there. So I wouldn't have been surprised if she had said "no."
But she has always been there for me and always been supportive of my decisions no matter how radical they may be.
This was a big decision.
I spent my first two years teaching English Language Learners at J.O. Combs Middle School, a small
district in Queen Creek, Arizona where I did a very good job. This upcoming
year I get the opportunity to teach my specialty, Social Studies, at the new, larger, Mountain Vista Elementary School
located on the opposite side of town in the San Tan Heights neighborhood. Laury works there too
as the Administrative Assistant. Home is only minutes away. Lots
of opportunity in Arizona which is also more affordable. More important, we have made
lots of new friends. Believe it or not, most of the people we have met also came from someplace else.
There aren't too many natives in Arizona.
In addition to my wonderful wife, Laury - my rock - we have a beautiful son named Liam, who is now in fifth
grade at Harmon Elementary School which is just a few blocks down the street. Then we have three delightful
additions, our three black cats; Alf, Ralph, and Rancher.
I am aging gracefully. I do at least three-to-five miles of bike riding
or at least 60 sit-ups as daily exercise. I prefer to hike when the opportunity presents
itself and I also involve myself in charity walkathons. Of course my job also keeps me
on my feet not to mention the long distance from my classroom to the office which are located at opposite ends of the campus.
Still, like other guys my age I am battling a bulging wasteline and a second chin. I have to
take medication for depression which has a tendency to add meat to the body. So if you always thought
I appeared depressed, it turns out I really was. It's now under control.
In addition, I am nearly bald and have to deal with the jokes that go with it. I like to say
that my brains have gone through my hairline.
I am still going to school. Who would've thought I would be the one from my class
to be the "professional student." In addition to adding on units in professional knowledge,
I am also working on my Masters at Arizona State University (Go Devils!) and hope to get my doctorate before time runs out.
At an age where some of my contemporaries are taking retirement. More power to them!
I am planning on teaching another 20 years!
I don't miss California too much. There are too many people there and my politics
just does not jive with the liberal agenda that seems to have taken hold in the "Golden State."
I do miss the Redwoods, the Wine Country, and the beach but in reality we aren't that far away.
San Diego is a great town and we have relatives there. Plus we have beautiful country here to explore.
Location is an Arizona strongpoint. The Pacific Ocean beaches are just
hours away but so too is the Colorado Rockies, Santa Fe, and of course, the Grand Canyon. Laury teases
me about it but I did give up my old sports teams from the Bay Area and have adopted the teams here as my favorites; the Diamondbacks,
the Arizona Cardinals, the Suns, and the Coyotes. I still root for the Chicago Cubs as the forever
hopeful fan.
The Hart's first came to California from Iowa (where we lived for three generations) in 1908.
My Dad was born (in Modesto) and died (in San Francisco) in California. My family moved here
in 2004. Now my brother Rich is moving to the desert, he and Shirley settling on
the Baja California coast at Rosarita. He is partially disabled and the climate will do
him good.
If you would like to know more about me, what I have been up to, and would like to meet my family,
go to the link below for my family website and be taken there instantly through the magic of modern technology.
I also have another site which I use in conjunction with my classes. Learn something new and check
it out. Aren't computers wonderful?
Thank you for visiting my website and come back soon.
