After an incredible 28-year teaching career, Mr. Richard Jopp is retiring, leaving behind a legacy of curiosity, creativity, and care. From giving drum lessons in his parents’ basement as a high schooler to helping students design and solve engineering challenges in his classroom, Mr. Jopp’s passion for teaching has always been grounded in helping young people learn and grow.
Mr. Jopp began his career at Willow Creek Middle School, where he spent 19 years teaching the 8th grade science, design and modeling, robotics. He later taught at the ALC before joining the Mayo High School science team, where he spent the last four years teaching Earth and Planetary Science, Physics and Environmental Science.
Throughout his career, Mr. Jopp has been committed to teaching for understanding. In his words, that means “looking for natural events that help make sense of the science concepts we are learning in class.” He’s especially proud of his project-based learning style, which included an engineering challenge and a fan-favorite forensics unit in Environmental Science that helped students practice the specific method.
Reflecting on the evolution of teaching, Mr. Jopp noted how much has changed since he started. “We used to reserve time in computer labs and pass handwritten notes during class–kind of like old school Snapchat,” he jokes. From printed announcements to overheard projectors and no cell phones, he’s seen education transform alongside technology.
When asked about his favorite memories at Mayo, Mr. Jopp lit up at the mention of GOFA. “Bingo, Paranoia and Mr. Johnsrud’s cinnamon rolls—oh yeah!” he said. Beyond events, it’s the relationships that stayed with him the most. “Every year brings a special group of students who stand out. So many stick with me in my memories.”
What he’ll miss the most? “The people I work with here,” he said, highlighting morning stories from Mr. Boguslawski, afternoon chat switch Mr. Drucker, Timberwolves and Vikings debates in the hallway, and making sure he had a new dad joke ready for Mr. Joslin in the planetarium.
Mr. Jopp’s parting advice to new teachers is simple but wise: “Be yourself. Find a routine that works for you, and make your teaching interesting.”
As he heads off to retire in Ely, Minnesota, with plans to hike, fish, and stargaze near the Boundary Waters, he leaves Mayo with deep gratitude. “Thank you for making me feel welcome these past four years and for everything you do to make this school the best in Rochester.”
From the Mayo Advocate and the entire Mayo community, thank you, Mr. Jopp. You will always be a Spartan, and you will be missed.
