Doves being released at an in-school ceremony for John McCall. Many teachers and students shared their memories of Mr. McCall during the ceremony. Photo Credit: LAURA GOLDEN
BY GABI TABIB
Longtime Cooper Cooper City High teacher John McCall passed away on February 21, 2012 after a year long battle with cancer.
McCall taught American Government and Economics. At least, that was his job description. In reality, McCall taught more than the implications of government in a society. He gave his past and present students the life lessons they needed to succeed, and the support they sometimes lacked.
John Evans McCall Jr. was born in Wadesboro, North Carolina. At the age of twelve, he moved to Cheraw, South Carolina where he was baptized at Pee Dee Union Baptist Church. McCall was introduced to Christianity very early and the church remained important to him throughout his life. He lived with his three brothers and sisters, and his parents, John McCall Sr. and Nelly McCall. McCall was known to his friends and family as Chipper, Chip for short. Family members said he was notorious for running off in the morning to play marbles with his friends and not returning until dinner. His favorite song was “Under the Boardwalk” by the Drifters, a song about living life in repose and away from “the sun that beats down”.
As McCall grew, so did his love for sports and academics. Upon graduating Cheraw High School after an extensive high school sports career playing football, basketball, and track and field, he was accepted to Morris College in Sumter, South Carolina on a basketball scholarship, but fate had its own plans. After a sport related injury, his dreams of basketball stardom were replaced with those of encouraging students to pursue college and a better life.
And after graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Education, McCall took a position as Admissions Recruiter at Morris College. But fate took another twist in 1989 when McCall moved to Florida, and began teaching American Government and Economics at Cooper City High. Here, he met many teachers and students with whom he created strong bonds of friendship. Lunch hours were passed with neighboring teachers and students were inspired and pushed to follow their dreams. McCall was considered an institution at CCHS and his classes were believed to be “a rite of passage”.
His devotion to his students was seen daily. He was always there for them, even after they had graduated. McCall, according to fellow teacher Charlie Cardinale, frequently said that in ten years, your past students may not remember what you taught, but they will remember how you treated them. McCall lived by this idea.
McCall was a model of consistency. His infamous proclamations of “ZERO!” to those who pled ignorance and refusal to answer questions during non-class time because he was “on vacation” were the things that many alumni remember about him. But what stands out the most is his compassion for his students. Marc Sheradsky, class of 2010, remembered how McCall believed in all of his students and told them so, which made an impact on their lives. Millie Nagar, class of 2011, remembered the time McCall took a whole class period to console her after she had been crying.
McCall was also passionate about tennis. He was the head coach for the girl’s and boy’s tennis team for many years. Cardinale remembers that McCall was not very happy when the 3400 building was being built and the tennis courts had to be demolished.
Social Studies teacher Mel Tanner sharing his memories of Mr. McCall. Photo Credit: LAURA GOLDEN
McCall continued his dedication to his students. He watched many classes walk through his door since 1989. He mentored many teachers like Marti Aylsworth, who was inspired by McCall’s passion for teaching, and Mel Tanner who was neighbors with McCall since the opening of the 3400 building (3456 belonging to Tanner, 3457 belonging to McCall).
In 1997, McCall married Tiwanna Johnson. In 2000, they welcomed daughter Amanda McCall into their lives. McCall was awarded a Master’s of Science from Nova Southeastern University in 2003. He was also recognized by Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers in 2004 and again in 2005, which is a nationwide institution that identifies teachers that go above and beyond teaching in the classroom.
In the last year of his life, McCall was plagued with kidney complications that were both painful and resistant to treatment but he never lost his passion for teaching or his students. He was still in the classroom weeks before his death despite his discomfort.
John McCall touched many people’s lives and many hold the lessons that he taught them very close to their hearts. McCall not only dedicated his life to educating the next generation, but he wanted his students to appreciate life.
