Below are remarks delivered at the January Board of Education Business Meeting at Palermo Elementary on Jan. 23, 2025 by Board President James Emery.
There is an old expression often used in sports that goes, “There is no i in team.” I think tonight’s Proud to be MACS recipient, John Hansen, Physical Education instructor at Palermo Elementary is the perfect example of this expression in his actions as an instructor, coach and staff member.
John grew up in Palermo with parents, Arthur, a MACS graduate, mom, Pamela, a Phoenix graduate, and sister, Kathy.
At MACS, John was a three sport athlete. John enjoyed exceptional success by earning All League Honorable Mention for football and All League 1st Team for baseball. John was chosen captain of the baseball team, his favorite sport, earned Scholar Athlete recognition, and was the first recipient of the Eddie Albright Award, named after one of MACS greatest football players. John was also a member of the Section III Championship wrestling team. It should be pointed out that this team won that championship in the day before the large school/small school divisions were created. Mexico competed against some 90 schools to earn this championship.
As his Scholar Athlete recognition implies, John was an excellent student graduating in the Top 10 of his class. Though John was an excellent student, it did not mean that school came easy for him. He credits hard work, persistence, and the support from his family, teachers, and coaches for enabling him to be the best student possible. This support also enabled John to fulfill his dream of becoming a teacher.
Following his graduation from MACS in 1998, John attended SUNY at Brockport majoring in Physical Education. John would graduate Summa Cum Laude and be awarded the Male Major of the Year, which is an award for recognition in leadership and academics in the Brockport Physical Education program. As some of you may know, SUNY at Brockport has an outstanding reputation for its Physical Education program, so this was quite the honor.
Graduating from college was a great point of pride for John because he was the first member of his family to graduate from college. John credits his mom for helping him achieve this accomplishment.
John would continue his education by earning his Masters from SUNY at Oswego in curriculum and instruction that involved data based techniques and skill development.
Following graduation, John would be hired by Athletic Director Randy Barnes as a part time Physical Education Instructor at the Mexico Middle School. As Mexico was his dream job, John endured three years of being part time before earning a full time position. Because he was part time, attaining tenure was delayed. John would earn tenure in 2009.
Along the way, John married Elizabeth and they have been blessed with three children, Evan, Conner, and Avery. At this point, John’s children seem to be following in their dad’s footsteps by being three sport athletes.
John started coaching almost immediately. Over the years John has coached as an assistant in football, wrestling, and baseball and was the head coach for the golf team. John believes in coaching everyone, not just the top players. He also believes in making something better than you found it.
Coaching has brought John great joy but not without great sacrifice by his family. John cannot thank them enough for their support and their understanding. John has reduced his coaching duties to be more available to his family. Currently, John coaches modified wrestling and is an Assistant Coach for Varsity Baseball.
After many years at the Mexico Middle School, a decision was made by administration to move John to Palermo Elementary.
Referencing the no “i” in team of my opening, John made the transition. He did, however, admit to me that the first few weeks in a K-4 building was challenging. In fact, he almost cried following his first few sessions with the Kindergarten students. But, like he did to succeed as a student, John used hard work and persistence to overcome this challenge.
So, how has John been doing at Palermo Elementary?
According to colleague, Shawn Pankhurst, “Since moving to Palermo after 15 plus years at the Middle School, he has instilled the “Palermo Kids are Tough” motto and brought a renewed sense of joy and excitement to PE in that building. His innovative teaching strategies are exposing students to new units and activities. He is always willing to share and collaborate with his elementary colleagues so that we can all get better.”
Shawn further writes, “John has rejuvenated the PE program at Palermo Elementary. His students are leading healthier lifestyles through his lessons and activities. His differentiation and strategies have all students engaged in the learning - getting them to work hard, push each other, and have fun while doing it. This can be seen in the data of achieving higher fitness scores in comparison to several years before. His students excelled at the combined district-wide 4th grade Olympics in June 2024 and were exemplary leaders in sportsmanship and camaraderie.”
Fellow colleague, Kristine Earley writes, “John demonstrates dedication and passion for Physical Education. Several years ago, during a departmental shift, which after almost 20 years of teaching secondary PE, brought him to then teaching elementary PE (a HUGE difference!) he has remarkably and seamlessly adapted and excelled in his new role, demonstrating not only resilience but also a deep commitment to motivating and inspiring young minds at MACS.”
Kristine further adds, “John educates and motivates his students every single day by providing a safe, fun, and active environment in his PE classes. He is consistent in posting his learning targets and “I can” statements. He is constantly trying new lessons and sharpening his teaching skills. John is an exemplary member of our physical education department.”
Supporting the above observations, Superintendent Dr. Donna Runner writes, “I am delighted that Mr. Hansen has been selected as the Proud to be MACS recipient for his outstanding work and support. Mr. Hansen is an expert in his field, consistently demonstrating excellent instruction by building positive relationships with his students. He plans and delivers engaging lessons that align with state academic standards and follow sound pedagogical practices. His focused learning targets and ability to connect learning tasks to goals and standards make him an exemplary PE teacher. Mr. Hansen ensures that his students are learning at high levels, and we are proud to have him part of our team.”
As for John’s favorite part of his job, John stated that he enjoys the journey of witnessing the success of the students through their hard work and commitment to achieve goals as well as the establishment of long lasting relationships with his students and athletes.
As for his favorite memories, John recalls the joy associated with being the Assistant Varsity Baseball coach when the 2009 baseball team won the Section III championship after being to the finals the prior two years. He also had special memories of coaching the Class A 2006 and 2007 football teams.
I did check John’s high school yearbook for some information. In it I found a quote that John listed with his school activities. The quote was, “Today is the day you make choices for tomorrow.” I would say that the instructing and coaching success that John has exhibited over these 20 plus years illustrate that John made some very good choices.
And so John, for exhibiting hard work and persistence, for sticking with your dream job of instructing and coaching at MACS despite taking three years to become permanent, for dedicating countless hours to coaching, for bringing joy and excitement to PE, for improving your students’ fitness scores, for providing a safe, fun, and active environment in your PE classes, for ensuring your students are learning at a high level, but, most importantly, for being the perfect example of the expression “there is no i in team”, it is with great gratitude that we, the Board, recognize you as our Proud to be MACS recipient for January 2025.
