When Adam McMahon left his corporate job to become a teacher, he wasn’t just switching careers—he was returning to what he loved most: connection, curiosity and science.
“I graduated from TCU in 2015, was a communication major, but I also studied a lot of science courses while I was there, so I was trying to put those things together,” McMahon said. “I was working in corporate America for a couple of years and just didn’t enjoy it, and I thought that one way I could combine communication and science was to be a science teacher.”
He then received his alternate teaching certification. This is now his fourth year of teaching, and McMahon instructs both on-level and AP Physics.
“AP Physics is really fun because it’s more complex, so you get a deeper understanding of the material, but also, I feel like sometimes you foster a deeper connection with students because it’s hard,” McMahon said. “So you spend time together, kind of ride through the trenches together—and hopefully win.”
McMahon is known among students for his enthusiasm and his ability to make difficult topics understandable.
“He does a good job lecturing,” junior Caleb Davis said. “He always tries to make sure we understand. He’ll notice our expressions, and if we look confused, he’ll go over it. To me, at least, when he explains stuff, it makes sense.”
Beyond the classroom, McMahon values the long-term relationships he builds with students over the years.
“I like that I get to build relationships with students that last from year to year,” McMahon said. “Especially when I get to teach freshmen or sophomores or juniors—because you get to see them grow as they become older, and then they graduate, and [you] get to see all of the cool things they get to do with their lives.”
McMahon’s love for science extends to his department. He said being part of a collaborative team helps make the job meaningful.
“I love getting to teach with all the other science teachers,” McMahon said. “I think that sometimes when you get into content that’s so specific, like physics or chemistry, there’s very few other people that understand the content or what it’s like to try to teach that content. And so you get really close, and then beyond that, we just are able to help each other, [like] when somebody’s got a flat tire or they’re feeling sick. It’s not that common that you find a team where everybody is cohesive and gets along well.”
Students often notice not just McMahon’s teaching skills, but the way he brings joy into learning.
“He cares a lot, too,” Davis said. “[You] can tell he really enjoys teaching. He’s just fun.”
