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Mr. John Ausema and Mr. Patrick Shipley Named Teachers of the Year
Congratulations to Science Teacher Mr. John Ausema and Computer Science Teacher Mr. Patrick Shipley, who were selected by their peers as Gonzaga’s Veteran Teacher of the Year and Novice Teacher of the Year, respectively. The awards recognize teachers from each Catholic high school in the Archdiocese of Washington who "embrace teaching as a ministry, proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and demonstrate respect for the Catholic identity and the charism of his/her school."
They were recognized on Friday, October 24th at the annual Professional Development Day organized by the High School Principals Association of the Archdiocese of Washington. Below are citations recognizing Mr. Ausema and Mr. Shipley, and celebrating their accomplishments and commitment to Catholic education. Congratulations to both!
Veteran Teacher of the Year: John Ausema
Since joining the faculty in the 2004-05 school year, Mr. John Ausema has distinguished himself as both an outstanding science teacher and a dedicated coach. Now in his 22nd year, John has taught students across a wide range of courses, from freshman and honors biology to AP Environmental Science. In the classroom, his expertise and patient instruction have inspired generations of students to think critically about the natural world and humanity’s relationship to it. On the athletic field, John has led Gonzaga’s cross country team as head coach for 19 years, building a program that reflects his own discipline, humility, and perseverance.
John’s influence extends well beyond teaching and coaching. He has become Gonzaga’s leading advocate for environmental stewardship, embodying the values of Pope Francis’s encyclical Laudato Si’: On Care for Our Common Home. He has championed sustainability initiatives on campus—helping to install water bottle filling stations, reduce cafeteria plastic waste, and integrate the school’s solar panels into student learning. Each Lent, John encourages the community to practice environmental care through his published calendar of daily actions. His efforts call the Gonzaga community to a deeper sense of responsibility for creation, rooted in our Ignatian ideals.
Veteran Teacher of the Year: John Ausema
Since joining the faculty in the 2004-05 school year, Mr. John Ausema has distinguished himself as both an outstanding science teacher and a dedicated coach. Now in his 22nd year, John has taught students across a wide range of courses, from freshman and honors biology to AP Environmental Science. In the classroom, his expertise and patient instruction have inspired generations of students to think critically about the natural world and humanity’s relationship to it. On the athletic field, John has led Gonzaga’s cross country team as head coach for 19 years, building a program that reflects his own discipline, humility, and perseverance.
John’s influence extends well beyond teaching and coaching. He has become Gonzaga’s leading advocate for environmental stewardship, embodying the values of Pope Francis’s encyclical Laudato Si’: On Care for Our Common Home. He has championed sustainability initiatives on campus—helping to install water bottle filling stations, reduce cafeteria plastic waste, and integrate the school’s solar panels into student learning. Each Lent, John encourages the community to practice environmental care through his published calendar of daily actions. His efforts call the Gonzaga community to a deeper sense of responsibility for creation, rooted in our Ignatian ideals.
John Ausema’s career reflects remarkable dedication to the holistic formation of Gonzaga students. He models how to live as a man for others by nurturing minds, strengthening bodies, and inspiring care for our common home. His contributions as an educator, coach, and mentor make him a pillar of the Gonzaga community.
Novice Teacher of the Year: Patrick Shipley
Mr. Patrick Shipley, Gonzaga Class of 2015, returned to Eye Street as a teacher in the 2022-23 academic year and has quickly become an integral part of the community. As Chair of the Computer Science Department, Patrick has already taken on significant leadership responsibilities, guiding his students through a subject that is both timely and essential. He is also a leader of the faculty AI CORP (Center of Reflective Practice) group, helping colleagues thoughtfully engage with the opportunities and challenges posed by emerging technologies. Beyond the classroom, Patrick serves as an assistant coach for water polo, and as a retreat and service leader, forming young men not only academically, but spiritually and personally.
Patrick’s colleagues affirm that his vocation to education is unmistakable: "I spent time with Patrick on a one-week immersion to the Father McKenna Center this past summer. In addition to his dedication in the classroom, I witnessed the great care Patrick has for the spiritual and character development of our young men at Gonzaga." Though new both to Gonzaga’s faculty and to the profession of teaching itself, Patrick has shown tremendous instinct, skill, and enthusiasm. He has tackled complex material with creativity, making even the most basic concepts compelling for his students. Already pursuing a graduate degree, Patrick demonstrates a commitment to growth in his craft. This recognition honors his early accomplishments and encourages him to continue developing his gifts as an educator and mentor in the Ignatian tradition.
Novice Teacher of the Year: Patrick Shipley
Mr. Patrick Shipley, Gonzaga Class of 2015, returned to Eye Street as a teacher in the 2022-23 academic year and has quickly become an integral part of the community. As Chair of the Computer Science Department, Patrick has already taken on significant leadership responsibilities, guiding his students through a subject that is both timely and essential. He is also a leader of the faculty AI CORP (Center of Reflective Practice) group, helping colleagues thoughtfully engage with the opportunities and challenges posed by emerging technologies. Beyond the classroom, Patrick serves as an assistant coach for water polo, and as a retreat and service leader, forming young men not only academically, but spiritually and personally.
Patrick’s colleagues affirm that his vocation to education is unmistakable: "I spent time with Patrick on a one-week immersion to the Father McKenna Center this past summer. In addition to his dedication in the classroom, I witnessed the great care Patrick has for the spiritual and character development of our young men at Gonzaga." Though new both to Gonzaga’s faculty and to the profession of teaching itself, Patrick has shown tremendous instinct, skill, and enthusiasm. He has tackled complex material with creativity, making even the most basic concepts compelling for his students. Already pursuing a graduate degree, Patrick demonstrates a commitment to growth in his craft. This recognition honors his early accomplishments and encourages him to continue developing his gifts as an educator and mentor in the Ignatian tradition.
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