John Lyons

Philosophy of teaching:
I believe in teaching the whole person as well as the academic subject. I believe in raising expectations and supporting the student to achieve. Teachers have an opportunity to help students explore new areas and to grow as human beings. To achieve this I take on different roles, teacher, coach, and at times parent to the students in my care. I strive to have a student leave my class a little better equipped to help our society/world be a better place because of their efforts.

Special areas of expertise or research interests:
I started the NEC Business Research Center in which I involve students in research projects outside of the College. With a group of students I find a client with a marketing problem, we meet with the client, develop a research plan, execute the plan, prepare and present a report to the client organization. We charge a fee and the students share the profit. At times we do pro bono work for non profits.

Other Interests
I started and continue to be the proprietor of Lyons Family Nursery, a summertime activity. I grow evergreens, flowering shrubs and trees, and specialty evergreens for the local homeowner and landscaper market. The profits put my three children through college. More importantly, it taught them the value of work and pride in work well done.  My 1957 Corvette may be the thing students remember me by rather than my “brilliant” classes.

Teaching background
I began teaching at the high school level and moved to the junior college level after a year. After teaching in business for two years, I accepted an appointment to the Dean of Students, a position I held for a number of years.

I came to NEC in 1973 and found a home. The college encourages individuality and draws its strength from the close relationship between professor and students that a small school allows. Professors often become life-long mentors to their students. Some of the students from my early classes are now the parents of my current students. It’s a great feeling to invite a parent that was my student to speak to the class of their son or daughter. Over time I have involved many students in outside research projects and internships. I have followed them in their sports and offered them work in my nursery. I continue to mentor many.