John Shoro: Over 30 years of teaching and training

One of the most important qualities of being a teacher is having devotion – looking forward to each day, eager to teach. Retired science teacher John Shoro does not fall short of this. 

“Every time he teaches, you can see the passion he has for medicine and teaching to those interested in the field,” student of Shoro Sofia Contreras ‘25, said.

Most Conant students aspiring towards the field of medicine, as well as student-athletes, are familiar with Shoro, who teaches Medical Terminology and Anatomy and Physiology and dedicates time outside of school as an athletic trainer. 

After attending Conant himself and dedicating over 30 years to teaching and training, Shoro is retiring at the end of the 2023-2024 school year.

From his time as a Cougar, Shoro’s favorite memories include being the first student in Conant’s history to qualify for state for diving, as well as breaking school records in diving. 

After graduating from Conant, Shoro never had any intention of becoming a teacher and instead focused on his career as an athletic trainer. After gaining the qualifications to become a trainer, he was having no luck finding work without an educational background. “And so, I kinda almost begrudgingly went through the education courses that I had to take, and it was probably about a week into my student teaching that I was like, ‘I think I really like this. I think I can do this.’”

Ever since then, he has been an integral part of the science department, especially in the healthcare-oriented classes. Vicky DeGuia, who has taught Anatomy and Physiology as well as Medical Terminology alongside Shoro for six years, said, “Whenever I go to Mr. Shoro for assistance, he never says no even if he has to do additional research just to help.”

Shoro’s helpfulness is echoed by Lorel Cunningham, wellness teacher and girls’ gymnastics coach, who began teaching Medical Terminology this year. “Mr. Shoro has been very supportive this year.  He has shared instructional items as well as various tips to be successful in the classroom… It was relieving to always know I could ask him any question,” Cunningham said.

Along with being a helpful member of the science department, Shoro has also impacted students and staff with his impressive mastery of healthcare education. DeGuia recalled that when the Medical Terminology classes went on a field trip to a cadaver lab, “The physician who was supposed to demonstrate/teach the students about the cadaver could not make it that day. Mr. Shoro stepped in and did a fantastic job.”

Along with his healthcare knowledge, Shoro’s humor made a lasting impact on those in the science department. “I will miss his dad jokes and his sense of humor, and the videos at the beginning of his Kahoots,” Cunningham adds.

Being a science teacher is not Shoro’s only responsibility at Conant. Although Conant has now hired a full-time athletic trainer, Shoro still proudly carries the titles of both teacher and trainer and is the only person at Conant who does so. “I enjoy working with athletes. I enjoy being able to help them get back to their sport or stay in their sport and compete at the highest level that they can under whatever circumstances they’re dealing with,” Shoro said. 

When reflecting back on his career at Conant, Shoro believes that he has made an impact on many different students, and in many different ways. 

Part of that impact comes from his training career. “I’d like to think that I’ve helped an awful lot of kids as well as their family members and so on with dealing with injuries and, you know, getting back to play.” 

Shoro values still hearing from his students from the early days of his career. While working with lower level students, he said that many of them stayed in school “because of some of the things that, not just myself, but people who were teaching with me, did to impact them.”

From his time lecturing at the front of classrooms to standing on the sidelines at games, there is no doubt that Shoro has left a lasting influence on Conant. Shoro’s consistent dedication and loyalty to the school community can be seen throughout his lengthy career as a CHS teacher and trainer. The example he has set for students and staff by displaying these qualities will surely outlast his retirement. 

When looking back on his experiences within Conant and the people he has worked with, Shoro advises students that, “High school is what you make of it. I totally believe that.” 

In order to set yourself up for success after high school, Shoro said, “It’s really important to put yourself out there, get involved, and experience as many things as possible.”

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