John STROUP

John Stroup has lived in Vergennes long enough to know where all the trails are: the ones that connect neighbors, community, and the land.

He came to Vermont eighteen years ago with his wife Sarah. Before that, he taught middle and high school in San Antonio, Texas. There, he coached football and basketball, and learned the first rule of education: you can't teach anyone anything until they trust you.

At Champlain College in Burlington, John has spent fifteen years preparing the next generation of Vermont teachers — more than a job, teaching and learning is John’s vocation.

We have seen John’s impact right here at home. For nine years he served on the Addison Northwest School District Board, five of them as Chair.

Through his time on the school board, John sat across from people who disagreed with him and listened more than he talked. Together, they created a District and guided it through a school merger, a pandemic, and a middle school expansion. That’s the kind of leadership you only learn when you do it.

He is also treasurer of St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Vergennes. He maintains local trails, plays guitar, and throws rainbow-colored footballs with anyone. More than anything, he loves hiking and canoeing with Sarah and their two teenage children and rescue pup.

John is running for the Vermont House of Representatives because he believes Vermont's best days are ahead — but only if we build them together.