Meet Jo. Johnson, Ms. Ed.

TEACH Program Manager

TEACH: When did your interest in education begin?
JJ: When I was little, I wanted to be a doctor. Being a product of Title 1 schools that lacked resources and exposure, I didn’t know then that I could become a doctor beyond medicine. After graduating college, it was my love for biology that sparked my interest in teaching. I went on to teach biology for eight years before transitioning to instructional leadership. Educational leadership has now become a true passion of mine. Drawing from my childhood experiences in an underserved and disadvantaged community, I now get to be a mentor and a voice for students who are in the same conditions that I once was. Every day, I now have the ability to be an advocate, make a difference and be part of the ultimate systemic change.

TEACH: Who do you consider one of the great teachers in your life and why?
JJ: I had a couple of great teachers, but the one who most stands out is Ms. Yvonne Phillips Dupree. She was my theater arts teacher in high school, and I also served as her office aid. During my junior and senior years, I was part of a co-op program working at NASA Johnson Space Center. It was Ms. Dupree who pushed me toward that opportunity. She encouraged me; she believed in me before I believed in myself. I never could’ve imagined that I’d get to have a job at a NASA center, but Ms. Dupree was instrumental in that. She always believed I was going to do great things.

TEACH: What are you most looking forward to at TEACH this year?
JJ: Since I started at TEACH halfway through the school year, I’m really focused on building relationships with the teachers I’m working with and tailoring our work in a way that feels authentic to them. It’s all about helping them and fulfilling their specific needs. For me, that begins with strong relationships.