Huntsville Times (Alabama)

January 7, 2009 Wednesday
2 EDITION

SPIRIT; Pg. 4M

480 words

Teacher's award 'total surprise'

GREGG L. PARKER, For the Madison Spirit

Linda Johnson receives honor for special ed class

Linda Johnson was shocked to discover that she had been selected the 2008 Wal-Mart Teacher of the Year. A student's parent, who had nominated her, broke the happy news.

"What? You've got to be kidding," she said with a few tears and laughter.

"It was a total surprise. Being a special education teacher allows me to form special friendships with many of the parents," Johnson said.

Those relationships give the award special meaning. "I always try to give my students my all - which at times may mean fussing a little but always with love," Johnson said.

Johnson teaches at Liberty Middle School. Wal-Mart awarded her a $100 gift card. Liberty received $1,000.

Liberty Principal Sally Bruer plans to apply the money for a NEXT classroom with SmartBoard interactive display, document camera and projector. These improvements will help Johnson and three other teachers who share the classroom.

Wal-Mart started the award program in 1995. "More than 30,000 teachers have been recognized nationwide, with more than $29 million contributed to local schools," Melodie Gunter, Wal-Mart project manager, said.

At Liberty, Johnson is department head of special education. She serves as the inclusion instructor for ninth-grade English and eighth-grade language arts. She teaches reading skills to regular and special education students and offers learning strategies to teachers.

Johnson's continuous demand is "keeping my students motivated and enlightening them that the skills they learn can be applied to everyday life." She believes all students are capable of learning "as long as they are given the opportunity - no matter what their learning level may be."

At Alabama A&M University, she earned undergraduate and graduate degrees. Before her 13-year stint with Liberty, she taught one year at both Pike County High School in Troy and Sardis High School in Waynesboro, Ga., and 11 years at Brewer High School in Morgan County.

A native of Birmingham, she was educated in its city school system. "I have an identical twin sister, who is an assistant principal in the Birmingham City School System," Johnson said.

Currently living in Monrovia, she and husband Earl C. Johnson moved to the area 24 years ago for his job at Redstone Arsenal. A retired contract specialist, he currently is pastor at Christ Community Church in Huntsville.

Their children, Chris and Brittani, are graduates of Sparkman High School. Chris graduated from Calhoun Community College and Brittani is a University of Alabama freshman.

For the future, Johnson plans to continue making a difference in the lives of her students. She hopes to retire in about five years "to work in ministry with my husband."

"Liberty and Madison City Schools are a great system to work for. I've been blessed with the opportunity to work with such wonderful teachers and students," Johnson said.

Note this item appeared in the Madison Spirit section of The Times.

B&W PHOTO: Linda Johnson receives a $100 gift card and Liberty Middle School gets $1,000 for her selection as a 2008 Wal-Mart Teacher of the Year. Dave Dieter/Huntsville Times

January 16, 2009