Mr. John McGowan ’94 brings real world experience and tradition to the classroom. When he had agreed to fill in for Mr. Pat Swanson’s classes this year after Mr. Swanson left to be head football coach at St. Laurence High School, Mr. McGowan had no idea it would feel so much like coming back home.
“I graduated from here in 1994,” he says. “So walking these halls again, this time as a teacher, has been a full-circle moment.”
Mr. McGowan is currently teaching two computer science classes for upperclassmen and one gaming JavaScript class for freshmen, along with subbing when needed. But he is more than just a last-minute substitute teacher. With plenty of years of experience in the tech world and family ties to MC, his return brings a great blend of tradition and innovation.
The McGowan name has a history at Mount Carmel.
“My great uncle taught here in 1939. He was known as Frater McGowan back then ,” he explains. “Frater” was what Carmelite brothers were often referred to back then. “He was eventually ordained as Father Edwin McGowan and actually taught [former MC principal] Father Tim Andres at Joliet Catholic. My classmates and I still take Father Tim out to dinner every year. It’s a tradition.”
These Carmelite roots go even further.
“My dad’s two sisters are Carmelite monks in Ireland,” he says. “They run a retreat center in County Sligo. It’s kind of like Kairos, but more contemplative. People go there to pray and help keep the land going.”
For Mr. McGowan, nostalgia is not the only reason for his return. It is also about giving back to a place that made him the person he is and shaping others in return. One way that he gives back by teaching is by informing his students about the potential use of AI in the classroom. He sees a major difference between using AI and understanding it.
“Most students use ChatGPT as consumers,” he said. “I try to teach them to be creators.”
Mr. McGowan has built his own AI tools using Microsoft Azure and Intercom. One of them helps users organize their daily chores and assignments.
“It’s not genius level stuff, but it is a start,” he says. “Thats what matters in tech. Start, iterate, improve.”
Outside of the classroom, Mr. McGowan brings the same thoughtful energy. He currently coaches girls basketball at St. Barnabas Grammar School. His ties to MC, both personal and professional, help him form genuine relationships with students.
“I think students can tell when you’re real with them,” he said. “I try to be honest about the tech world—not sugarcoat it. It’s tough but rewarding.”
In class, he encourages critical, thinking and hands-on learning. One of his favorite moments this year was helping students design, a simple pinball game, and adding a baseball scoring mode to it.
“It wasn’t a perfect product,” he said, “but it was ours. We built it together, and it made the learning process more engaging for everyone.”
Mr. McGowan gave great advice that he took away from college, “Sit in the front row in college,” he said. “You won’t be tempted to check out, and you’ll do better because of it.”
He had also emphasized soft skills that matter beyond the classroom. “Teamwork, clear communication, and curiosity are huge,” he said. “Those are the skills that helped me in the corporate world, and they’re the same ones I try to encourage now as a teacher.”
His students seem to appreciate his approach. Several have said that Mr. McGowan’s class feels different, less like a traditional classroom and more like a space where they can experiment, take risks and learn from mistakes.
Even if something does not work out the first time, he will help the students figure it out. Mr. McGowan doesn’t expect perfection, he just wants his students to try their best.
While Mr. McGowan is not sure how long his stay at MC will be, he is already thinking about summer projects with some of the more advanced students in his classes.
“If they’re motivated and curious, I could see real opportunities for them to work on AI or UX projects with me.”
No matter how long his stay is in the MC classroom, one thing is certain; Mr. McGowan has already made an impact. By mixing the pest and present, tradition and technology, he is reminding students that learning is not just about perfection–it is about progress.
