CJ MacKinnon received his Bachelor of Science in Communications/Sports Journalism and English from Springfield College in 2006 and his M.A. in Education from Lindenwood University in 2010. He went on to teach English for 6 years at St. Mary’s Ryken High School in Leonardtown, Maryland where he was acknowledged as the Novice Teacher of the Year in 2012/2013. He joined Lyndon Institute as an English teacher in 2016. Mr. MacKinnon is also the Student Newspaper advisor and boys lacrosse coach

In his spare time, CJ enjoys playing the guitar, hiking, skiing, and he is a supporter of the Boston Red Sox and New England Patriots. He is a member of the Private School Journalism Association (PSJA). CJ lives in Lyndonville with his wife Amber, their three young children, and their Bernese Mountain Dog Zarley. He hopes to someday summit all 50 high peaks in the United States, complete the Appalachian Trail, and publish a novel.