By Gabriela Darling
John McColl, who teaches graphics and photography, is one of several teachers who is retiring from Branford High School this year.
He has been teaching at BHS since 2003 and said he became a teacher to inspire and teach young people to create quality artwork and share his experiences as an artist/graphic designer.
“Relax and enjoy sharing what you know with students,” Mr. McColl said. “And stay positive even if some [students] do not show interest.”
McColl attended Branford High, Hamden Hall and Colgate University. He is a Branford native, who grew up in this town with tw supportive parents, three sisters, four loving grandparents and an uncle. He said his father was the biggest inspiration in his life.
Over the years he has taught graphics, photography, drawing, painting and crafts.
Besides photography, he is also passionate about oil painting and fly fishing.
He’s retiring because he wants to spend more time with his children.
He sets his own goals every 10 years. His post-retirement goals are to help people in poverty; create oil-painted landscapes and portraits; and fly fish from his canoe.
“Growing up in high school I was an athlete and did not take art until the end of high school”, said McColl.
The most memorable event in his life was the birth of his daughter and son. Raising children has made him appreciate life much more.
Before he started teaching at Branford, he worked as a graphic designer, hence design skills, and most of that time was spent in New York City.
“I would become a studio art professor on the college level because college students are more serious and engaged when it comes to learning,” said McColl.
He spent a lot of time learning how to create art using different mediums but decided to use oil paint as his main one because the colors look so rich.
