John & Margaret Mooy
John Mooy
MLAJA Teacher
1970-2001
When school opened in the fall of 1970, the 21 students in grades 4-6 were excited. They had a new teacher—a young man! His name was John Mooy, and this was his first year of teaching. The students in his classroom that first year included Wayne Young, Bill Olson, Pamela DeFehr, Ken and Jim Grabow, and Alan Pratt—names that we still recognize today because they or their parents still live in the community. Principal Leon Stickney and Board Chairman Leon Grabow were instrumental in interviewing and hiring John—little did they imagine that John would teach at MLAJA for more than thirty years! Other principals that John worked with at MLAJA included Roy Ingham, Dan Rathbun, Everett Perry, Michael Solazzo, and Stan Baldwin.
There were only three homeroom teachers that first year—Medianita Mutya for grades 1-3, John for grades 4-6, and Leon Stickney for grades 7-10. Total enrollment was probably around 60-65 students. John says that he did not really see himself as a middle-grade teacher. He accepted the position with the agreement that he would be considered for the 7th and 8th-grade position when it became available. However, before the year was over, he decided that he was right where he belonged.
John taught grades 4-6 until 1983-84, when the school board felt that enrollment was high enough to hire another teacher and divide up the classes so that each teacher had two grades. John was homeroom teacher for grades 5-6 the rest of the years that he was at MLAJA.
John always tried to discipline and grade students fairly. In one of the yearbooks, he is quoted as saying, “The most frustrating thing about teaching is having to grade students on as equal a basis as possible.” He did his best not to show favorites among his students, and this did not go unnoticed by them.
In those early years, John says of himself, “I was fresh out of the Army and a strict disciplinarian.” Thirty years later, John admitted his discipline had likely mellowed with age, but he always did like to have a structured classroom. Thirty years later, Leon Stickey also had something to say about John’s discipline methods, “There were a few rough edges to work out with John from the military discipline he had learned from those tough sergeants, but he took counsel very well, and we worked through it.”
Before John joined the MLAJA staff, the 9th and 10th grade subjects were taught in a homeroom setting, except for music. After he came, the 9th and 10th grade subjects were divided up somewhat. Mr. Stickney mentions teaching the science while John taught the math. Secondary subjects that John taught over the years included biology, computers, algebra, and geometry.
John was an innovative and creative teacher, and, in my opinion, unique and one-of-a-kind. During worship time he played the guitar and taught the students scripture songs that remain with many of them still today. His former students recall learning Romans 8:28, Micah 6:8, and other songs (see end of tribute for words to several scripture songs). I think some of his scripture songs were originals, and John also made up songs to help his students remember math or science facts, concepts, terms…. Be sure to check out some these at the end of the tribute.
He had special nicknames for his students, such as “Fudge” (a variation of Ffej) for Jeff, “Lizard” for Lizzie, and “Green Beans” or “Jeans” for Gina. He sometimes affectionately called the students in the younger grades “screaming mimis.” He might refer to a student as, or call a student, “Uncle Hannah” or “Aunt Harold.”
He had favorite sayings that he used in different situations, such as, “I really like you,” or after discipline, “But I still like you.” I think the students appreciated that—who doesn’t enjoy hearing that someone likes them! “You’re such a whiner,” was another common saying, oh wait, maybe he just said that to me (Janet)! He had an interesting way of calling the students in from recess. He would “bape the natives” like a shepherd would call his sheep.
If he wanted to get the students’ attention, he would often slam a book or ruler down on his desk. One student remembers him coming to visit the 3rd and 4th graders towards the end of the school year to help calm their fears about going into the “dreaded Mr. Mooy’s room” the following year. “His visit was actually quite effective in increasing our anxiety as he came while we were all quietly reading and slammed a ruler on the back bookshelf to get our attention.” Another method for getting attention was increasing the volume of his speaking voice dramatically. It was always interesting to hear him in the classroom next to the office as he would continue his Algebra lecture, only at twice the volume.
John was known to occasionally turn a desk upside down if it needed cleaning. The story is told about a desk that was so messy, he turned it over inside the bathroom instead of just in the classroom. The student was absent, and when he or she returned the following day, the desk was not in its usual place. I suppose the other kids were happy to point out the location of the desk, and the student had to move the desk and its now tidier contents back into the classroom.
John was a certified bus driver, an expert skier and snowboarder, and he enjoyed giving tips to the students and staff. He regularly carried his toothbrush in his pocket and a pencil behind his ear. On Fridays, he took the students to the convalescent homes to sing for the patients. He also took them on community service activities on a regular basis. He was the director of school programs, particularly the big annual Christmas program, making sure everyone did their best.
The absolute climax of the school year for the students in grades 4-6 (later 5-6) was the annual camp-out to the Rosasco Ranch. This was referred to as “Mr. Mooy’s Campout.” Students were required to build a shelter with the supplies in the forest, start a campfire without matches, and make their food, including camp bread, over the fire. Parents came along on the campout as chaperones, but they were not allowed to help the students. He always scheduled the campout as late in the school year as possible so the snow would be gone and the weather would hopefully be good. It rained so many times on his campout over the years, it almost got to be a joke—except to the bedraggled students and parents who would come dripping home. Most of the time they stuck it out—sometimes they came back early.
Students in grades nine and ten looked forward to the annual Biology trips. In the fall he would take them to his cabin at Mammoth. On the way, they would stop at every 1,000-foot elevation to study the flora and fauna of that elevation. They would collect leaves for identification. They especially enjoyed stopping at Mono Lake where they made lots of biological and geological discoveries. Then on they would go to Mammoth where they enjoyed visiting the Devil’s Postpile and swimming in Hot Creek. At the cabin they would work on their collections, participate in worship, and eat huge quantities of food.
In May, he took the Biology students to the Albion Biological Field Station in Mendocino County on the coast. The students took many trips to the ocean where John did “hands on” teaching. Tide pools were a special interest to the students, as well as walking through the forest to study ferns. Campfires on the beach were a highlight for the students. Then it was back to the camp to compile their collections.
For most of his years at MLAJA, John served as vice principal. He even had a chance to be acting principal a time or two, but I don’t think he enjoyed doing it. I always thought he much preferred teaching.
John cared deeply about his students. We have talked about John’s creativity and endearing quirkiness quite a bit, but his most important purpose in teaching and other social interactions was to share God. He had all those funny ways of relating to the kids, but as he expressed to the newspaper writer (see article following tribute), “I think my greatest joy…has been having the freedom to share my relationship with God and remind kids that God is alive and well and with them through all the ups and downs of life.”
The students knew that John could be counted on, when push came to shove, and they remembered that—I think they still do. It has been a few years since I (Janet) have had a grown man (former student) sobbing into the phone that he wanted to talk to Mr. Mooy, but it happened more than once, and I have never forgotten it. John would drop everything to spend time with someone who needed it. Everyone that he ever knew was his ministry.
Near the end of the 2000-01 school year, he received an invitation that he couldn’t turn down—to teach at Hawaiian Mission Elementary & Intermediate School in Honolulu. He left a very big hole at MLAJA when he moved on after teaching here 31 years. Students, staff, and other Sonora friends missed him sorely, but he has continued to keep in touch with many. John, it’s been ten years since you left Sonora, but “We still like you.”
This is John Mooy’s MLAJA story as I remember it, written to enhance the history of MLAJA and help his former students and colleagues remember him and thereby continue his positive influence in their lives today. I tended to write in the past tense, since he is no longer teaching here, but John has not finished his ministry yet. He is currently serving as principal of Hawaiian Mission Academy (K-8) in Honolulu, and he still believes his reason for being is to share God with his current and former students, friends, associates.....
By Nadine ProctorSecretary 1978-1992
March 21, 2011
(and Janet Johnson couldn’t resist adding a few words here and there)
Slideshow
We didn’t make a separate slideshow for John Mooy, but you will find a variety of pictures of him in the four staff slideshows, accessible on the sidebar of the History page.
Excellence in Teaching Award
In the early 1990s, John was one of the recipients of the Zapara Excellence in Teaching Award, given through the North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists. He was nominated in September 1990 by the MLAJA school board. Cited in the nomination are his:
- Practical, hands-on teaching methods (specifically mentions his Biology trips to Albion and Mammoth, the 5th and 6th grade campout, and his annual 5th and 6th grade science fair).
- Use of scripture songs to teach Bible memory work.
- Deep concern for each student’s understanding of salvation and God’s love.
- Fostering of Christian principles in the classroom.
- Personal efforts to provide a Christian role model for his students.
- Consistent efforts to inspire students to not settle for less than the best in themselves.
Scripture Songs
Romans 8:28
All things work together for good to those who love God (repeat)
To the called (the called) according to his purpose (purpose)
Because God is in the business of bringing out the best in every situation that life (school) brings us (repeat)
Romans 8:28 (28)
Romans 8:28 (28)
Micah 6:8
He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good;
And what doth the LORD require of thee,
But to do justly, and to love mercy,
And to walk humbly with thy God?
Micah 6:8
Philippians 2:13
For God is at work within you,
helping you want to obey him,
and then helping you do what he wants.
Hebrews 11:8-10
By faith Abraham, when he was called
to go out into a place
which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed;
and he went out, not knowing whither he went.
By faith he sojourned in the land of promise,
as in a strange country,
dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob,
the heirs with him of the same promise:
For he looked for a city which hath foundations,
whose builder and maker is God.
Songs that Teach Math or Science Facts
For Solving Linear Equations
Sung to the tune of Twelve Days of Christmas
Distributive property,
Combine like terms,
Get rid of unknowns on one side,
Addition and subtraction must go,
Get rid of multiply,
Then you have your one unknown on one side.
To the tune of Deck the Halls
2.54 centimeters in an inch,
Fa-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la.
There are many metric conversions,
But the one you really need to know is
2.54 centimeters in an inch,
Fa-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la
Feet in a Mile
(Sung while hopping around on one foot)
Five-thousand-two-hundred-and-eighty little tiny feet in a mile.
Cell Mitosis and Meiosis Terms
Mitosis happens in my toe cells
and meiosis happens in my
(covers mouth and looks embarrassed)
Oooooooh cells.
Tribute to John Mooy
By former principal Leon Stickney
May 2000
It’s a great occasion that has been planned for today, and we would so much like to be there to join in the celebration. It would seem so fitting, for those were golden years of our lives. We praise the Lord today, and thank you, for your prayers that have brought us home where we are convalescing after ten long weeks in the hospital. We are so thankful to be here, though we wish we could be there.
We do not remember a moment’s hesitation when the Mother Lode Junior Academy Board invited us back in 1967. (They may have been influenced by the happy prospect of adding five students to the enrollment that fall.) We brought with us a delightful young woman, an experienced teacher, but one who had never taught in the U. S. We remember her remark, “Never before did I teach in a cute school.” We were excited about the lovely facility, and enjoyed providing some “TLC.” Medianita Mutya and I joined Maria Noel as the faculty that year. School opened that fall with 67 students, but by year-end had grown somewhat
It is a testimony to the Adventist community of Sonora that there has been continuity in the faculty these many years! We are proud to have been part of the beginning of that. It was a privilege to invite John to join our staff 30 years ago. Who knows? We might have rescued him from a military career. There were a few rough edges to work out with John from the military discipline he had learned from those tough sergeants, but he took counsel very well, and we worked through it. I’ve always appreciated his cooperation in the various subjects we taught 9th and 10th graders. He would take the math, and I would take the science. I appreciated his willingness to be flexible. Even then, he brought much excellence to the elementary curriculum with his innovative teaching of history and literature, and to the morale of the school by his interest in every student as an individual. So John, why not go for another 30?
John, we appreciated working with you the six years we were together there at Mother Lode, and even more, the friendship we have maintained then and ever since. You have actually been part of our family all that time.
By contrast, the saddest experience of our years there was the death of Medianita Mutya in a car accident Memorial Day weekend nearly 27 years ago. Her weeping 1-3 graders remain one of the most poignant pictures in our memory.
Over time Ruth Phelps, Ted Warner, Merlyn and Annette Reeves joined the faculty and Bonnie Bivens (Gryte) and LaRae Scutt helped out in the office, with Ruth filling in as needed.
Mental pictures include the painting of the mural (remember that?), Bible camp, the year a full and beautiful 8th-grade graduation on Hope Lane consisted of one graduate (Albert Sandler), 50 mile hikes, the floods that engulfed the playground before the creek was contained underground, the morning we unlocked the building to find the beautiful parquet flooring buckled from a burst water pipe, biology trips to Albion on the Mendocino coast, and to Morro Bay on the ocean, the involvement of all with the placing of the propane tank, and the building of the church, students from 1st through 10th participating in Ingathering, board meetings with Calvin Young or Leon Grabow presiding, Good News Singer performances, and the band Mr. Reeves put together (remember little David Banks toodling?) and very especially, lively Bible class discussions. In retrospect, it is quite amazing the way the building seemed to bulge where necessary to accommodate the enlarging student body, each one enriching our lives.
Excerpts from story in The Union Democrat
Friday, May 19, 2000
Adventist School Honors 30-year Teacher
By Lenore Rutherford
John Mooy has taught at Mother Lode Adventist Junior Academy longer than anyone else. Mooy, 54, has stayed at one school for his entire career and credits his wife, Margaret, for that.
“Because of her support, I have been able to be content here,” he said.
He has taught fifth and sixth grade students most of the time.
“I think my greatest joy here has been having the freedom to share my relationship with God and remind kids that God is alive and well and with them through all the ups and downs of life,” said Mooy.
“Probably one of the most fun things,” he added, “is being able to be friends with them after they are out of school and watch them grow and build their own families.”
After 30 years, he has found himself teaching the children of his former students.
“I even teach with one of them,” he said. “Rod Kerbs was in my first seventh grade math class, and now he teaches science and computers here.”
“I have also loved the freedom to be creative in my teaching,” he said. “I love introducing kids to camp-outs and other outdoor activities. As part of biology, we take a marine trip to Albion near Fort Bragg on the Northern California coast and a mountain trip over the hill to Mammoth. I love showing them how God puts things together.”
Mooy said the school has changed with the times, but never veered from its original purpose of guiding children into a relationship with God.