COMMUNITY
John Custer
Elevates Education in Vineyard Schools and on the Water
By Tessa Permar
When John Custer entered kindergarten at the Tisbury School in the late 1970’s, he couldn’t have imagined the impact he would have on Vineyard youth and education. John has taught students of all ages at multiple elementary schools, served as Vice Principal and Principal–his current role–at the Tisbury School, and is leading the Martha’s Vineyard Striped Bass and Blue-fish Derby into its 79th year. He has dedicated his life to teaching and leading educators, and he continues to preserve the community spirit that makes a Martha’s Vineyard education so special.
Looking back at his career, John shares, “I am a product of Vineyard Schools; this community supports education, and I never take that for granted.” But in 1992 after graduating from Boston College, John wasn’t sure what would come next. He started working at an insurance company in Boston and made frequent visits back to the Vineyard. “Occasionally on the boat I would run into former teachers of mine,” he remembers. “They spoke so positively and proudly of teaching. Looking back now, that was a piece of it.” A more subtle current that pointed John toward teaching was his father Herb.
Herb Custer taught math in Connecticut and Martha’s Vineyard after serving in the Coast Guard. An avid shellfisherman and an advocate for vocational education, he was assistant principal at the MV Regional High School and then superintendent of Vineyard schools. While “he never suggested that I consider education,” he says, John remembers his father coming home from work happy, talking about his students and colleagues. “My dad had a really fulfilling, rewarding career in education.”
John’s introduction to teaching was at the West Tisbury School. He interviewed with revered Principal at the time Bob Tankard, hoping to work in Junior High. Mr. Tankard placed him as a Teacher’s Assistant with Elaine Barnett in the first grade classroom at the West Tisbury School. “He said you’re gonna love it,“ John recalls. “And I immediately took to those kids. Elaine was such an amazing teacher to work under.” In 1997, he moved up to the junior high where he taught Language Arts and Social Studies for the next seven years. In 2004, he moved to the Tisbury School and began teaching 5th grade Social Studies. And in 2008, he became the assistant principal at Tisbury.
Three years later, when the Tisbury School was looking for a new principal, John admits he was reluctant to take on such a prominent role. “Superintendent Dr. Jim Weiss could not have been more supportive of me,” he shares. John attributes his success in the role in a great part to the strength and trust of his staff. “You have to have good people surrounding you and I’m very grateful to have had that my whole time here.”
Another key supporter to John in education and life is the late, beloved Edgartown Principal Ed Jerome. “When I started working in the school system, [Ed] became very much a mentor.” Their interests overlapped not just in education but on the coastline, as fellow avid fisherman, and it was Ed that invited John to join the Derby committee.
The Martha’s Vineyard Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby is such a beloved island institution that it could be called our fifth season, right between summer and fall. Mr. Custer served for 11 years as Chairman, coordinating the island-wide tournament. In 2018 he became President of the Derby, a role that allows him to focus more on the organization’s role as a nonprofit. “The scholarship program is something I am really proud of.” Since its inception, the program has donated approximately one million dollars to students pursuing higher education. “I take it very seriously and personally to ensure that the scholarship program is strong and runs with integrity because it’s about kids, families, and education,” says Mr. Custer. “We are super proud of it.”
One of John’s many gifts as a leader is the way he approaches his role as a key piece of a puzzle rather than lone conductor at the top. Opening this year’s 79th Derby season, John observed that a volunteer-based organization does not flourish for that many decades without a dedicated support network of community members. He consistently shines a spotlight of gratitude on his fellow educators and volunteers.
After an arduous process toward renovation, the Tisbury School opened its doors to brand new classrooms this Fall. As Custer visited the newly renovated first grade room, “I commented to the teacher, you know this was my kindergarten class room.” He recognizes that amidst all of the logistical work and committee discussions, “sometimes as adults we get wrapped up in our own work.” Custer works to remind himself and his staff, “this building is designed and built for kids.” In each of his roles - as teacher, principal, chairman, president, and father, John Custer has remained dedicated to shaping education for young people on Martha’s Vineyard.
Thinking about the Tisbury School’s renovations, he shares: “We are so grateful for the support from the voters and to the people who invested their time and energy over the years.” While the building and the Island itself may be changing, its educational and community spirit is sustained by John Custer and his volunteers and staff.