John served in the United States Air Force during World War lI and entered the George Washington University in 1946.  Majoring in physical education, and having played center on the GWU varsity football team for four years, he graduated in 1950 with a bachelor’s degree.  Continuing his education at GWU at night and during the next two summers, he received his Master of Arts in Education in August 1951. 

 

Mount Vernon High School became Mr. Grinnell’s first teaching and coaching assignment, and after four years he transferred to Annandale High School to serve as its first director of Health, Physical Education and Athletics. In 1960, he was appointed the first Supervisor of Health, Physical Education and Athletics for the Fairfax County Public Schools.  Mr. Grinnell was avidly interested in the law, and devoted three years of evenings and weekends in this study and received a Juris Doctorate in 1961 from George Washington University.  He became a member of the Bars in Virginia and the District of Columbia that same year.  In 1967 he was asked to serve as legal counsel for the Professional Rights & Responsibilities Commission of the National Education Association.  His next position was with Fairfax County Government as Coordinator of Community Services responsible for leisure programs, facilities, funding, and the coordination of such agencies serving the county. 

 

After several years he returned to his first love of teaching and worked directly with students in driver education, a program he had pioneered, administered, and helped develop in Fairfax County.  Mr. Grinnell was one of the early members of NVADACA and served as the incorporating counsel as well as president serving for almost four years.  In recognition of his contributions to NVADACA and to the field of physical education, this NVADACA is pleased to offer a scholarship in the name of John R. Grinnell.