Politically motivated

Matthew McKinnon, a tall and lanky man with a graying ponytail and thoughtful eyes, teaches Government at Ashland High School.

Matthew McKinnon teaches Government at Ashland High School. Photos by Debi Smith | For the Tidings

The first thing you might notice if you walked into his classroom is his relaxed and engaged presence. Next, your eyes might travel around the room taking in a copy of the Bill of Rights, a yellowed copy of the Declaration of Independence, the long row of books on the counter, and all the stickers, posters, quotes, and fading political cartoons (lots of Doonsbury).

Even though he's a quiet and private man, Matthew agreed to be interviewed. Sitting in tattered but comfortable chairs following his last class of the day, he answered many questions.

Tidings: Can you tell us a little about yourself and your family?

Matthew McKinnon: My wife Lisa teaches 3rd grade at Howard Elementary in Medford. We've been married for over 28 years and have two sons — Jesse, 27, and Jonathon, 25, who live together in Portland working at restaurants in order to support their musician habits. I came from a family of teachers. My father was a social studies teacher at the same high school I attended. My mother was the dean's secretary. Three out of four of my siblings are teachers, as are various other family members. Yet I didn't immediately go into teaching.

Tidings: What did you start with?

I started with law, but in the end found it to be very dissatisfying. I have a conflict avoidance type personality.

Tidings: Where did you grow up and what were some of your early interests?

I grew up in Concord, California. The East Bay. Early interests? Oh man, I wanted to be a Major League baseball player! I loved sports. (He was captain of his baseball team at Mt. Diablo High School.) Sports, reading, camping, fishing, the mountains ...

Tidings: How about current interests/hobbies?

A lot of the same. I love being in the mountains, reading, hiking, fly fishing, music. I dabble with guitar. I'm not very good, it's just something I do for my own enjoyment.

Tidings: Could you tell us more about the transition from law to teaching?

I moved to Portland at 21 to attend law school (he passed the bar in 1980). In 1978 I was working for Mike McMenamin at Produce Row Cafe, his first business venture, when he decided to sell and try his hand at something else. I was part of a group of seven young men who decided to buy the restaurant. I worked there for eight years until we moved to Ashland in 1985. Lisa and I only just sold our interest in it a couple years ago. I practiced law for a couple years here in the valley and then in 1988 went back to school to get my teaching certificate. One of the reasons I decided on teaching was seeing the satisfaction that my family members derived from it. And I just love it. It's my ninth year here at AHS and I spent seven years before that at Grants Pass High.

Tidings: Do you freely share your opinion in class? And could you describe the political leanings of your students? And, which issues typically engender the most passionate discussion?

When we talk about things like these recent ballot measures, maybe I'll share my opinion. But usually I try to present everything as objectively as possible. Try to get everything on the table. It's one of the challenges as a teacher because sometimes you really want to let it rip but you realize it's not your place. As for the second question, I would say that generally my classes reflect the liberal outlook of Ashland, though in every one of my classes there is representation of conservative views. I encourage lots of conversation about issues and think it's important to get multiple perspectives. And from day one, I stress that the overlaying rule here is respect. As far as the most passionate discussions — quite often they center around privacy issues and the extent to which government should be able to intrude into citizens' private lives, homes, or records in the name of protecting the public health, safety (including national security), welfare and/or morals.

Tidings: How would you characterize the political/civic interest of your students? And how do you think we might encourage more involvement?

I think the level of political concern and awareness among students here is very high. And some of the debate can be very sophisticated. I'm always very impressed. As for involvement, I have a requirement that every student must attend and/or participate in one event, meeting, forum, etc., each semester. It's pretty broad. Could be a speaker at SOU, or sitting in on a commission meeting. I want them to realize how easy it is to get out there in the community and get involved. As far as how the community might be able to encourage more involvement, I think it's important to give more young people a voice. Like giving them seats on commissions for example. Or maybe an advisory role on the council.

Tidings: Have any of your students moved on to work in government in some capacity?

Several students have moved on to do interesting internships with governmental agencies or interest groups both in Washington DC and Salem. At least two of my former students now work in international political organizations and several others are either practicing law in jobs that have political ramifications or are in other positions that actively try to influence government policy.

Tidings: If you could wave a wand and change three things about our current government and/or process, what would they be?

First, despite expected "free speech" objections, I'd severely limit the amount of money that could be donated and spent on election campaigns and would shorten campaign seasons in a manner similar to the British model. Second, I would advocate a system that gives minor or "third" parties a real voice in our policy making system through some type of proportional representational model. Third, I'd use my wand to create a comprehensive national health care system that gave all people a level of basic health care coverage. It's a national disgrace that a nation as advanced as ours can so easily overlook the health care needs of so many millions of Americans.

Tidings: Have you ever considered running for office?

Absolutely not! I think as much as compromise is a big part of the democratic process, I don't like to compromise my beliefs and views. And I also wouldn't like the lack of privacy.

Tidings: What would you do if you knew you could not fail?

Not much different than what I am doing ... but I'd also be a novelist.

Tidings: What has been the most interesting or memorable moment in your teaching career?

Anytime former students take the time to write or come back to tell me how valuable my classes were, it makes it onto my most memorable moments list — and reaffirms for me that I'm doing exactly what I was meant to do.

Ashland has an abundance of interesting people. Whether they're a winemaker, actor, prolific letter to the editor writer, artist, sanitation worker, government official, celebrity, student, soap maker, boat builder, author, neighbor down the street, film maker, or the man who walks all over town collecting aluminum cans — everyone has an interesting story. And we're hoping to learn some of them. If you have ideas for future profiles, drop us a line. Debi Smith is a local freelance writer. She can be contacted at debi@mind.net.