by Reagan Eisenburg (Posted on January 31, 2026 @ 1:43 p.m.)

At AHJS, we have multiple veterans who are now teachers, but why they chose to leave the military and pursue a career in teaching is quite a mystery.

Today, we will delve into the story of an 8th-grade English teacher to explore why he transitioned from the battlefield to the classroom.

John Sheppard was once an airman who served a total of seven years. He never desired to make a career of the military and knew he had to find something else to do. When he left the Air Force, John joined Alamo Heights as a substitute teacher in 1995.

At first, it was difficult trying to manage a class full of teens. He wanted to walk out and never turn back, but in the Air Force, you can’t just quit. “I always had to see it through till the end,” Sheppard stated, so he stayed. The longer he was there, the more he started falling in love with teaching.

During the 2023–2024 school year, he served as a Gifted and Talented coordinator and English teacher. In 2024, he was crowned Teacher of the Year.

He has helped kids in many ways, ranging from mental to physical challenges. Preston Rohlfs mentioned that Mr. Sheppard has helped him stay focused and pay attention, while Maddox McMickle said he helped him spell better.

He uses unique techniques in the classroom, such as emphasizing self-discipline, making sure he gets his point across before students begin working, and ensuring everyone understands what they are doing.

He takes his time putting lesson plans together and makes sure his students get what they need. He has made a big difference in teaching at AHJS.

He has been a huge inspiration to students throughout Alamo Heights as a whole.