Gallery • 117 Photos

To know a Raptor is to know the legacy and essence of Mr. Tyson McCormick. Beloved by all, Mr. McCormick took on many roles at Academic Magnet High School including the positions of science teacher and department head, Key Club advisor, DECA advisor, Summer Scholars founder/organizer, and an overall active contributor to the community and education of AMHS. 

The students and staff loved Mr. McCormick for all he brought to our school. He was a passionate person who had a love for traveling, human connection, and teaching. Each person who shared a memory with him held it close, as he had a lasting impact on every person he spoke with. We reached out to both students and staff to share some  memories, stories, experiences, and impressions left by Mr. McCormick. 

When asked to share about their beloved friend and colleague, here is what our teachers and faculty had to say:

What are 3 words you would use to describe him?

“Energetic, adventurous, funny”

“Funny, sarcastic, and ruthless.”

“Cheeky, adventurous, kind”

“Brave ON SO MANY LEVELS, happy, although you could not tell because he was strict, but he had so much compassion”

Share a funny interaction you had with him:

“His telling me a story about cockroaches and lockers. I cannot divulge more than this. It’s not bad or illegal though!”

“Mr. McCormick shared with me his jib jab videos of his favorite students and had me play one in my class because it was her birthday!!”

“We took a selfie of doing morning bus duty as he said “rain or shine” with Mrs. Do.”

Anything you want to say about him?

“You are lucky if he was in your life.”

“His smile lit up the hearts of all of us.”

“It was truly an honor to get to have him as a student and a colleague. It’s rare to get to see a teacher from both perspectives and I am so glad that I got to see both sides of him because he is truly both an amazing teacher and amazing person outside of the classroom.”

Having taught for so many years, Mr. McCormick had an innate ability to connect with his students and instill lessons that could be applied for both science and life. It was expressed by many responses that he was, most notably, “funny” and “determined.” These traits signified the dedication he had for teaching as well as his character.

Next, we asked the students to share memories about their teacher:

Any funny teaching moments?

“Whenever he called someone “friend,” it was his version of bless her heart and the class would crack up. Also, if someone got something really wrong, he’d use his no button or screaming button.”

“I did get kicked out of his class twice for cracking my back and at the time I was so scared but now looking back I just find it funny.”

“One time, a classmate of mine took a drink of water after he introduced the baby project, and he said, “making babies makes you thirsty?”

What is your favorite memory with him?

“His singing pop songs in biology.”

“We were at this field trip sort of thing sitting next to him waiting for the event to start and he pulled out his phone and started showing us pictures of his puppy; I think because he saw we were tired of waiting. It was funny at the time to see his dog but it made me realize that he really cared about his students even outside of school.”

“He showed us his rainbow speedo he ordered as a joke for the Keys trip.”

How long did you know him? First impression? 

“I had only known him for a year (freshman year). Although at first I was scared of him, he was funny and a great teacher. He really made me realize my passion for biology and I still remember lots of things I learned from his class.”

“I was terrified of him and his dice.”

“I met him during my freshman year (2023), and he terrified me at first. I could tell instantly that he had an amazing sense of humor, but his bluntness and penchant cold-calling students had not been something I was used to.”

To both the students and the staff here at AMHS, we asked them the same question: What did he leave here as his legacy? There are not enough words to describe all that he has left here with the people he interacted and engaged with, the friendliness of his smile or the adventurous stories he shared from his life, his love for the pop singer Pink, along with the somewhat fear installed in all the freshmen experiencing a McCormick class. So as our final question, we had some great responses:

“He left many students educated by a rigorous but extremely fruitful Biology 1 class, and I bet he also was amazing at teaching Environmental and Anatomy. He left a room that’s full of his presence and decorations, and many memorable moments to keep with us.”

“He never really left. He truly has a lasting mark on the whole science department, the standard of coming into Magnet and being challenged but encouraged. He will forever be known as brave, funny, expressive and hard on his students in a loving way.”

“Expectations of a truly good person and teacher – it was because of him I loved a class I didn’t think I’d like”

“Mr. McCormick was the epitome of Magnet: a passionate, dedicated thinker who had equally high expectations for work and fun. Of his many legacies, his contributions to the freshman year experience and to school spirit will, I think, be particularly enduring.”

“I was lucky enough to go on a trip to Greece, the Greek Islands, and Turkey because of him. Like so many other students, I saw more of the world because of him. It was an amazing trip, and I will always cherish those memories I made with him in Santorini and Mikonos.”

“His ability to live fully.”

To fully grasp the life and teachings of Mr. McCormick, we contacted the person who had seen him flourish since the beginning of his career: Mrs. Judith Peterson. Though most known as the former principal of Academic Magnet High School, Mrs. Peterson initially met Mr. McCormick in 2001 during her principalship at CE Williams Middle School. Only a second year teacher, Mr McCormick displayed a “wonderful gift for reaching and teaching middle school kids.” Also recognized by AMHS students and faculty, she noted how his humor and love for teaching shined in all of his endeavors. 

Mr. McCormick originally orchestrated annual trips to the Florida Keys during his time at CE Williams. Mrs. Peterson reminisced, “I loved traveling with him, for the trips were exceedingly well-organized, and he was great fun to travel with; he had a 6th sense about making sure there were activities germane for middle school kids mixed in with the marine science lectures and experiences.” Even at Academic Magnet, they continued traveling together with students (and Dr. Altman and Ms Lankford) while expanding their trips to various places internationally. He made traveling easier due to his dedication and organizational skills regarding the trip planning. Personally, Mrs. Peterson traveled with him 6 times, and her favorite memories were “the evening walks for gelato or a Starbucks’ coffee.”

Upon entering Academic Magnet, Mrs. Peterson recognized how “Tyson’s efforts at AMHS really cemented the powerful connection between students and teachers.” An example of his efforts was the creation of an experience all freshmen remember: the Summer Scholars program. With the support of his colleagues, he cultivated the program that all students recognize as a way to ease the transition to high school and find new friends. It introduced the students to teachers, and he found ways to make it fun and engaging. “One of my most vibrant images is watching all the Summer Scholars laughing and enjoying a jump castle together—-the laughter and joy from those activities will stay with me a long time.” The life and memory that Mrs. Peterson recounts is as a person who brought effort, love, and dedication to all of his endeavors.

Overall, Mr. McCormick’s death has taught us to remember that a life of giving never dies. This is because his teachings, which were learned in class and through his examples in life, continue to impact other people in their lives in shaping their minds. Although he is no longer with us, his presence lives in every question that was asked in discovery, every bit of confidence that was fostered, and every student who believed in his dreams.

The Tyson W. McCormick Raptor Explorer Award has been established in Mr. McCormick’s name as a tribute to his love for traveling and desire to share the experience with others. More information regarding the award and his traveling passions will be provided in a later article.