John Herring comes to class at QHS every day. EVERY single day. For 27 years. Not only is Herring here every day, he teaches out of the very same classroom that he used to learn in. When he looks at other teachers in the hallways, he sees former students he once taught. Herring is a mainstay at Quitman ISD. He may not have a great answer off the top of his head for the question “What does it mean to be a Quitman Bulldog?” But he exemplifies what being a Bulldog is all about every time he sets foot on this campus. His continued commitment and loyalty to QISD students and to our school community demonstrates exactly the character traits of Quitman Bulldogs.
When asked what his favorite memory was from his years as a student, he said he didn’t have a particular favorite memory. However, he spoke very fondly of Mr. Kirby teaching him how to make things in wood shop class. He spoke of how a stool he made in Mr. Kirby’s class so many years ago is now the model for one that he has his own students make.
Given that Herring teaches geometry, it’s no surprise that his favorite teacher was Mr. Owen Lawrence, who not only taught him Geometry, but also Algebra and Physics. Herring said he felt that he learned a lot in Mr. Lawrence’s classes and tried to pass on the same knowledge to his students. Herring teaches both regular geometry, an honors class, and his construction geometry course.
His geometry/construction class has gained notoriety since its inception in 2014,
being featured on local tv and other media outlets. With the exception of 2020, each year his class has started in the classroom learning the principle of geometry and then worked their way outside to complete the construction of a tiny house. The houses were auctioned off the first couple of years. Now people inquire with Herring and Herring’s class will build it to the future owner’s specifications. Once the owner gives their input, Herring draws up the plans and then lets the students get to work.
Next, students use everything they’ve learned in their geometry class and apply it to the construction of the tiny house. They also learn construction basics before they start building. This class is a two credit class—one for Geometry, and one for construction. Students first star
t by building some basic steps and then move to subflooring, and go from there. The tiny houses take a few months to finish, but all have been completed by the end of the school year (with the exception of 2020 and Covid). Up until now, the tiny homes have cost about 20K-25K to build; however, due to skyrocketing constructions costs, Herring estimates that this year’s tiny house will cost between 30K-35K.
The whole point of the class is to see how math is used in the real world. For some, there is extra incentive to participate because they may enjoy being outside and working with their hands. Herring likes to give the students an insight into the whole process of house building and all the processes involved to complete a house. Herring says that he has had students go on to seek careers in the construction and electrical/utility industries. Herring said that what he loves best about the class is that he “just likes seeing how they can take it from paper and pencil and just see how it’s applied in the real world, in the construction of the house and learning some hands-on things that they can actually use later in life.”
Herring also teaches regular geometry and honors geometry, in addition to the construction geometry course. Herring especially enjoys the honors geometry class because he can really challenge his students.
Whether he’s indoors challenging his honors geometry students, or outside showing students how to apply geometry principles in construction, Herring is teaching students valuable skills that they can translate into real life later on. By helping his students be the best versions of themselves that they can be, Herring is helping build up generations of Quitman Bulldogs. Way to go, Mr. Herring!