J. W. Hutchinson was born and raised in the Chicago area. He was active in sports, theater productions, and student government in high school and in college. During these school days, he wrote a stage play and starred in its production. While in college he was elected to Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities. Prior to coming to the Los Angles County High School for the Arts (LACHSA) he taught for several years in public schools in Illinois. In Hawaii and in Oregon, he taught in private boarding high schools. He took a fifteen-year hiatus from teaching in order to participate in management in corporate America where he was able to use his training and expertise as a teacher in a business setting.
     Mr. Hutchinson has a B.A. degree with a major in science and a minor in mathematics. He holds two Master of Arts degrees in science education and educational administration, respectively, and holds a California clear teaching credential. Mr. Hutchinson has taught numerous courses while at LACHSA. They are as follows: chemistry, physics, physical science, biology, pre-algebra, freshmen studies, and citizenship development. He has been a science and mathematics teacher at a LACHSA for fifteen years.