A Marine helicopter pilot, a clinical laboratory scientist, and a trainer for the US and Swedish olympic sailing teams, are all teachers working here at San Juan Hills.

RICH LARUE- flew helicopters all around the world and worked for the US Marine Corps for eight years before becoming the no-nonsense math teacher students know him as today. Throughout his years being deployed in the military, LaRue flew through Norway, Morocco, Japan, Italy, and many other places. LaRue was deployed with the sixth fleet, working as a troop transport who brought troops into battle. For his final year of duty, he flew in the first gulf war in 1990. Through all of this action and excitement, he never took his mind off of becoming a teacher. Whether it’s teaching his classes at SJHHS or teaching beginners pilots how to fly for themselves, LaRue’s love for teaching had a huge influence on his life.

DEBRA MIYAMOTO- identified pathogens from human tissue, urine samples, and spinal tissue

COLIN MACDONALD- took to the sea, training and traveling with Olympic sailing teams around Europe for the 2004 Athens Olympics. Macdonald drove a 26 foot power boat and coached one of the best sailing teams in the world at the time. He lived in Athens, Greece for four months following the team and even occasionally living in his car. Physics was a part of Mcdonald’s life even when on the sea using his knowledge to figure out the way the sail works. “My motivation to become a teacher went beyond just wanting to educate kids, I wanted to teach physics because of my fascination with physics,” said Macdonald.