While the Descartes Medal is recognition from his peers, John Savage says his highest praise is from students who have commended him for making a positive difference in their lives.
John was a successful coach of mathematics contest teams and had students who placed very highly in the Canadian Mathematics Competitions and at international contests.
John taught at Lo-Ellen Park S.S. and Lasalle S.S. in Sudbury. He was mathematics department head at both, and served on the executive of the Northern Ontario Mathematics Association. He is a winner of the Don Attridge O.A.M.E. Secondary School Mathematics Teacher Award.
As a coach, John tackled school hockey and track and field. In fact he loves sports in his spare time, notably hockey, having played it, taught hockey school and been involved with minor hockey. He is also a golfer and tennis player. Other pursuits include photography and goat farming!
John went to Swastika P.S. in Swastika, Ontario, then Kirkland Lake C.V.I. and McMaster University.