Can you tell people who might not know you a little about yourself?
1. I was raised in McLeansboro IL by Ann and Dennis Johnson – which were both educators for 33 years. I have 2 sisters and one brother – one sister and my brother are both in education as well.
Family?
2. My lovely wife Sherra works in the Stewardson–Strassburg School District as a Business
Teacher. We have three Children: Austin (22) attends SIUE majoring in History / Math Education – will marry his high school sweetheart Kelsey Wermert next summer, Cali (20) attends SIUE majoring in Business (currently working for Boening in St. Louis as an intern, Taryn attends NCHS as a Junior and works for Joe’s Pizza in Newton. We are BLESSED!!
Education?
3. Undergrad degree in Education from McKendree College in Lebanon IL. Masters in Administration from McKendree College as well. Superintendent Certification from Eastern Illinois University.
What made you decide to go into education?
4. The reason I chose education was to help make a difference in people’s lives. I really enjoy learning and watching others grow. I was Blessed to have parents that worked in the education field so I was able to see what affect they had on others.
What are some of the greatest strengths you feel our school District has?
5. Greatest strengths the JCCU1 District has:
* a staff that cares very much about the children they have the opportunity to share life with.
* administration that will do what it takes for children to be successful.
* a community that literally believes it takes a village to raise a child – they embrace the educational process that is carried out on a daily basis.
* dedicated board members that volunteer their time to seek ways to improve what the district is able to provide for the future of our community.
What are some of the greatest improvements you have seen over the years?
6. Improvements I have seen over my time in Jasper County are:
* an interest in what is best for students and staff on a continuum that is best for the future.
* interest is growing as a desire to work for the JCCU1 school district.
* retention of great employees.
* streamlined processes in many areas.
* a much safer and dependable fleet of buses for transporting our precious children.
* a food service that provides better food and more of it for our children.
* a faculty vested in seeking ways to improve curriculum to provide the newest and best practices for educating our students.
* a collective effort from so many staff members for creating and improving methods to better support the social emotional concerns throughout the district.
How have educational priorities changed since you began teaching?
7. The biggest change in education in my short time is the social emotional needs of our students. We MUST bind together in this area as a community to provide for future generations. We as a district have embraced this challenge and are putting so much effort into supporting those in need. The value behind relationships is so much more important in our fast paced society that we are not taking time to see it. We must slow down and be a part of each others lives!!!
What do you feel are the most important qualities of an educator and why?
8. Most important qualities of an educator are:
– passion – we must care for our students and others first.
– relational – we must find the root of how people work and expand upon that for growth.
– trustable – we need to unite for each other and for our children and their futures – they need to know they can trust us and we need to know we can trust each other!!
– lifelong learners – the world is changing at such an exponential rate that we as educators must continue to seek new and interesting ways to help children learn.
– committed – again our students need to know we are in this for the long haul with them.
Lastly, I feel like the luckiest man in the world to have the opportunity to work with the students, staff, parents, grandparents and community in Jasper County. None of us are perfect and we are all replaceable. But what I have experienced in my short time in this County is incredible. This County cares and wants what is best for the future of their children. This County knows how to rally around those in need. This County can and will be a great place to live and raise children for generations to come . The JCCU1 School District is committed under my watch and the watch of our school board to make that happen!! WE as a TEAM in JCCU1 will strive daily to make tomorrow better than today for all 1300 students we serve!!! I am Blessed daily to see this in action.
