John Morris Leach

I am just seeing this announcement about Mr Leach and his passing. I have thought about some of my favorite teachers over years and Mr Leach always came to mind. I was a student assistant in chemistry for Mr Leach in my senior year. He inspired my interest in science and I went on to study nutrition and dietetics and had a long career in healthcare. Condolences albeit belated to his family. I remember him as a very good and favorite teacher.

5 years? It is hard to believe it has been that long. A couple weeks ago I released the last of my teaching work to a publisher where it will continue to grow and evolve. The decision was bitter sweet and it caused me to reflect upon my 44 years in education and the handful of people that molded the teacher I became. Thank-you, John, for being one of those people. May your spirit always shine as an example to those that carry your legacy.

Now, a year retired from my teaching career, John is still very much alive in my memories of Agua Fria. We spent hours in his back yard photographing insects from the collection so I could use 35mm slides to teach their taxonomy. That day was nearly forty years ago. We were young and time was without end.

Mr Leach was a great teacher very fun to have in a classroom. Always there to explain what you did wrong on an exam. I had the pleasure of being a student in prep, chemistry, and physics. His facial expressions were the greatest compliment to his humor. Great man and a great teacher prayers to his family and friends.

I remember Mr. Leach well. He was one of my science teachers in the early 90s. He was tough but incredibly fun and witty. We always had to be attentive and assertive in his class or else he'd find us and make sure we were! I'm saddened to hear of his passing and I'm praying for his family that God gives them comfort. Mr. Leach was a huge part of my life at Agua Fria.

As my Dept. Chair, I learned a lot from John. His calm guidance provided an environment where we could teach and add to what will forever be, the best years of my teaching career. I'll never forget how he sat in faculty meetings doing crossword puzzles so I brought one, too, only too be caught by the assistant princlple. John just shook his head and said, "do I have to explain everything to you." Thanks, John, for helping me be the teacher I became.

Mr. Leach was a great teacher. My condolences to the family.

Not only was Mr. Leach my chemistry teacher, I also had the pleasure of working with him at AF for many years. He was a brilliant individual who made chemistry so easy to understand. God Bless.

Mr Leach will be remembered as a GT TEACHER who believe that the Love of Learning is All about how you Teach Your Students. He was an Inspiration to ALL his Students. Enjoy being with Our Lord and Savior. Amen!