Retired science teacher still exploring the world

John Shribbs admits that teaching physical and environmental science at Petaluma’s Casa Grande High has dramatically changed his life and probably saved his family.

His wife Patty agrees, allowing that when John worked as a senior research biologist, developing herbicides for Zeneca Ag Products, “He had a little bit too big of an ego and we abraded each other.”

Forced to find a new career because of a company merger, John decided to teach high school. Before that, however - despite holding an MS in pest management and a PhD in horticultural science - he was required to take evening classes to earn a teaching credential, with plans to teach basic algebra and general science to ninth graders. John’s first teaching position was at Richmond’s John Kennedy High School.

“It was a valuable learning experience,” he says. “I discovered that although cultures and styles of communication may be different, almost everyone will do the right thing when presented with choices.”

With his home in Petaluma, John was thrilled the following year to get a teaching job at Casa Grande High School.

“I was a loner and floundered for a bit, until I sought out others for teamwork and facilitation,” he says. “I learned how to become other-centered and work well with people - especially my own family.” 

John teamed up with fellow science teacher (and former electrical contractor) Sten Mander to develop an experiential-based Earth Science (Physics and Chemistry) curriculum they co-taught for 16 years. John beams with pride as he describes what he calls, “my legacy, the 1-acre Outdoor Learning Environment Project in the center of Casa,” a project that continues to thrive to this day, as well as the native plant nursery he built on an abandoned baseball diamond at Casa Grande.

Recently retired, and busier than ever, John considers himself “a bit of a futurist” and sees Lester Brown’s Plan B as a global solution. He believes in community and public service and is always ready to ask “How can I help?” He’s since found plenty of ways to answer that question, from coaching soccer, to pursuing a Tech in Education Certificate from SSU. He’s also become certified as a naturalist, has served on the Petaluma City Technology Committee, and as president of Petaluma Community Access. 

Currently, John is involved with Friends of the Petaluma River, is a Board Director and webmaster for the Petaluma Wetlands Alliance, a member of the City of Petaluma Tree Committee, and plays flute in the church choir where his wife Patty is the Choir Director.

If that isn’t enough, he also helps direct bridge games for the new Petaluma Bridge Club. 

As chairman of his neighborhood association, John was instrumental in removing dead pines and planting native plants watered by drip irrigation in the common areas. Additionally, John uses his skills as a horticulturist to co-manage the St James Church Community Garden. The garden’s three-part mission is to provide food to the needy; flowers for local beauty and the church, and a nature-filled space for meditation and prayer.

John recently helped complete a garden upgrade involving the installation of a 14-valve irrigation system and has plans to make the “weedy patch” near the new solar panels become a communal area for food and meetings with a BBQ, patio space, and benches.

The new RV travel trailer parked at the Shribbs’ curb attests to John and Patty’s newest ambition - traveling from state to state to attend several American Contract Bridge League (ACBL) tournaments, in combination with hiking in numerous state and national parks. Their goal is to acquire additional ACBL Masterpoints which will allow them to play in even more challenging tournaments against opponents of higher and higher skill levels.

(Contact Gil at gilmansergh@comcast.net)