For John Orman, his hometown, education, and career are intricately intertwined.

The audio-visual instructor at Columbia Central High School in Maury County is proud to say his parents were both public school teachers who inspired him to choose public education as a career.

Now in his seventh year of working for Maury County Schools, Orman says he doesn’t have to look far for continued inspiration.

“During every open house at our school, people come up to me and say, ‘Your dad’s class was my favorite. In addition to history, he taught me how to set a table. He taught me how to tie a necktie.’ I think a lot of times people don’t realize how all-encompassing a teacher's job is," Orman says. 

Perhaps that’s part of the reason it wasn’t a difficult decision for him to step into a leadership role in his local association.

After serving several years as a TEA association representative at Columbia Central High School, Orman stepped into the role of president of the Maury County Education Association, encouraged by his colleagues to become a local leader.

• Pictured: John Orman at graduation ceremony with fellow Maury Co. EA member and high school English teacher David Walker. "David is my mentor and a great colleague," Orman says. 
  
  Read the full story in the July 2026 issue of TEACH. 

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