Starfish of the Week - Amy Johnson

This week, I am honored to pass the Starfish Award to Ms. Johnson—although many of her students know her simply as “Mama J.” And I think that name alone says so much about the kind of teacher she is. Her students absolutely adore her because they know how much she genuinely cares about them. She is constantly looking for new, creative, and exciting ways to bring Mississippi Studies to life and make learning meaningful for her students, and that same dedication carries over into everything she does with the dance team.

One of the things I appreciate most about Ms. Johnson is that her impact doesn’t stop at her classroom door. She is always willing to “geek out” over a new idea, brainstorm ways we can collaborate, or figure out how we can make something work a little better for our students.  She is the kind of colleague who doesn’t just listen to a new idea—she gets excited about it right along with you.

Whether she is encouraging a student, supporting a colleague, dreaming up something new for her classroom, or simply bringing her positive energy into the building, Ms. Johnson is a light to the people around her. She truly embodies what the Starfish Award represents: making a difference, one person at a time. I am so excited to pass the Starfish on to our very own Mama J!