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Biography
John Ward was born
August 2, 1950 in Duluth, Minnesota, the oldest of
six children for Jack and Janice Ward. John grew up
in a typical middle-class household in Proctor,
Minnesota. His father was a labor relations manager
for the DM&IR railroad and his mother worked in
banking. From these modest beginnings John learned
two valuable life lessons:
- Work hard,
never give up, and always believe in yourself.
- Don’t feel
sorry for yourself or your circumstances because
there is always someone more in need than you.
John understood at an
early age the need to be involved and to give back
to your community. Throughout school John was
involved in athletics, class plays, junior
achievement, and school politics. John was elected
class president in his senior year in high school.
Around age 10, John knew he wanted to be a teacher
and he took part in programs and activities through
his school years to prepare him for that career.
John’s inspiration came from his high school coach,
Jim McIntire, from his neighbor, State Senator Homer
Carr, and his parents and family.
John graduated from
Proctor High School in 1968 and went on to the
University of Minnesota, Duluth to pursue his goal
of becoming an educator. He graduated from UMD in
1973 with a Bachelor of Science degree in physical
education and health. He also received
certifications in coaching and driver’s education.
Later in John’s career, he returned to UMD earning a
Master of Arts degree in learning disabilities. He
received that degree in 1982 and then attended the
University of Wisconsin, Superior earning a teaching
certificate for emotional behavior disorders in
1984.
John married Sally
Gfrerer on April 27, 1974 in Stillwater, Minnesota.
John and Sally made their home in Proctor and over
the next 10 years had four children: Amy, Eric,
Ryan, and Shannon. The Ward family has grown over
the years with the addition of Amy’s husband, Mike,
and their two children, Jewel and Anika, and Eric’s
wife, Becca, and their three children, Grace, Sophia
and Mari. Shannon is now married to Gabe
Wheeler and Ryan is engaged to Jackie Reinke.
John began his
political career in 1982 with his election to the
Proctor City Council. Two years into his four year
term, John was urged to run for mayor. John took on
that challenge and defeated the incumbent, becoming
mayor of Proctor in 1984. John devoted himself to
the city, undertaking and succeeding in more public
works projects than any mayor before him. John
easily won re-election as Proctor’s mayor in 1986.
John was an
educator for over 33 years, first in Proctor,
and then in Brainerd. He began his professional
career in 1974 as an Adult Basic Education
Instructor for the Northeast Regional Corrections
Center. In his five years there, he also worked as
the Recreation Director and the Community
Coordinator for Project C.A.R.E. In 1979, John
became the Alternative Education Director, a program
he developed for ISD 704 in Proctor. John spent
eight years in that position helping to educate
those with difficult backgrounds and troubled lives.
In 1987, an opportunity presented itself to John
which precipitated moving his family to Brainerd.
John accepted a position in the Brainerd School
system as an Emotional Behavioral Disorder
Instructor. In his nine years in that position, John
devoted himself to helping those less fortunate and
being an advocate for their needs. In 1993, John
developed the award-winning Service Learning
program. This program placed high school students in
volunteer positions throughout the community helping
them to understand the benefits of volunteerism.
Throughout John’s
career as an educator, he has served in a number of
coaching positions including:
Head Varsity Coach,
Girls Softball, 1996-1998
Head Varsity Coach, Adapted Floor Hockey, 1994-1999
Assistant Varsity Coach, Football, 1976-1996
Assistant Varsity Coach, Girls Basketball, 1979-1982
Assistant Varsity Coach, Baseball, 1974-1976
Assistant Varsity Coach, Girls Softball, 1979-1992
John and his wife
Sally are also licensed property/casualty insurance
agents for the EPIC Insurance Agency. They have been
working in this capacity since 1995.
John has received a
number of honors and awards:
Wal - Mart State
Teacher of the Year, 2006
Shriner’s Hospital
Rainbow of Hope Award, 1998
Minnesota State High School Championship Coaches
Award, 1998
8AA Section Girls Softball Coach of the Year, 1996
Minnesota Teacher of the Year Semi-finalist, 1992
Brainerd Teacher of the Year, 1992
John is active in his
community:
St. Francis Church
Parish Eucharistic Minister
Past St. Francis Church Parish Council Member
Past St. Francis Church Parish School Board Member
Former St. Francis Church Parish Lector
Former Elks Youth Camp Coordinator
Past Egerdahl Memorial Fund Vice President
Sexual Assault Services Board of Directors
Past Director on the Crow Wing County DFL Board of Directors
Northern Pines Mental Health Center Board of
Directors
John is or has been a
member of a number of professional organizations:
Minnesota State High
School Coaches Association
Minnesota Adapted Athletics Coaches and Coordinators
Association
Education Minnesota, Brainerd
Mid-Minnesota Uniserv Governing Board Member
Brainerd Elks Club
Brainerd Moose Club
Brainerd Kiwanis Club
Brainerd Sports Boosters
John was elected to
the Legislature for District 12A in November
2006. His committee assignments for the
2007-2008 biennium were:
E-12 Education
Early Childhood Learning Finance Division
Education Finance and Economic Competitiveness
Finance Division State Government Finance Division
(Vice Chair)
John has earned the following legislative awards in
his first term:
American Heart Association Legislator of the Year
Award
Health and Fitness Advocacy Award from MN
Association of Health, Physical Education,
Recreation and Dance Organization
Emergency Medical Services "Friend of EMS
Award"
Friend of Tourism Award from Hospitality MN
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