Our newest Upper School teacher, Mr. John Feagans, is the subject of this issue’s Faculty Focus. Mr. Feagans has been a part of our RMA family for quite some time through his daughters: Virginia, who graduated from RMA last year and attends UNC, and Ellen, who is a current 10th grader here at RMA.
Mr. Feagans is originally from Indianapolis, Indiana, but he grew up in Memphis, Tennessee. He attended the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, where he earned his Bachelor’s degree in history with a minor in economics. While attending UT, his parents moved to Rocky Mount, NC, so after graduating from college, he joined the Rocky Mount Police department, where he served for 28 years before retiring on September 1st of this year. He also taught at Nash Community College in their Criminal Justice Program in the early 2000s and in their Basic Law Enforcement Training program from 2001 until joining our faculty in September. This year, he is teaching World History, US History, and a new Criminal Justice class.
Mr. Feagans currently resides in Red Oak, NC, with his wife, his daughters, and their cat, Stormy, who, interestingly, they found at RMA in the aftermath of Hurricane Matthew. With his family, he loves to travel and hike, and when he can find free time alone, he enjoys reading, noting that he reads “all sorts of books, but somewhat ironically, mainly history.” Currently, he’s finishing the Expanse Series by James A. Corey while simultaneously reading a history book about the United States Army in the Pacific Theater of WWII. Although he is enjoying these, he says his favorite book series is the Aubrey-Maturin series (about the Napoleonic wars) by Patrick O’Brian.
This school year, Mr. Feagans is most looking forward to getting to know everyone here at RMA, and finally feeling caught up (which I think we can all relate to!). His goal for his students is for them to understand that history is more than just memorizing dates and places. We are so excited for Mr. Feagans as he continues his journey as an educator and begins his journey as an educator of high school students, and we thank him for his service on the police force and in the classroom.
Fun Facts:
What is your favorite band?
The Avett Brothers
What is your favorite movie?
Children of Men directed by Alfonso Cauron
Do you have any hidden talents?
I am able to remember odd and unimportant facts.
Do you have any interesting accomplishments?
I was the 1998 Police Officer of the Year, and last year My team was the runner up in the Meals On Wheels chili cook off.
