Having just finished her 21st year as an educator, Parkside Elementary School Special Education Teacher Holly Johnson was recognized Monday as Capital Region Education Service District (ESD) 113’s 2024 Regional Teacher of The Year.
“The selection committee chose Johnson for this award because she is a dedicated teacher who meets students where they are and supports them in any way she can to move them forward,” ESD 113 stated last week in a news release. “They also praise her ability to attend to the particular abilities and disabilities of each student while working with other adults to maintain a positive classroom experience for all.”
ESD 113 services 44 school districts in Thurston, Lewis, Mason, Grays Harbor and Pacific countries. As ESD 113’s Regional Teacher of The Year, Johnson is one of nine candidates who will be considered for Washington State Teacher of The Year this fall.
“My job, I couldn’t do without all of the support people, for sure,” Johnson said Monday, holding a bouquet of flowers gifted to her by the Tenino School Board in congratulations for her award. “I just appreciate all of the support from everyone coming in and helping,” she said, thanking her team and the paraeducators who have helped her out in the classroom.
Parkside Elementary School Principal Brock Williams recalled hiring Johnson as a part-time special educator several years ago, when a full-time special position wasn’t available, and encouraging her to seek opportunities outside of the district for the benefit of her own career.
“I wasn’t trying to push her out the door — I wanted to keep her because I knew she was extra, extra special,” Williams said Monday.
Johnson decided to stay in Tenino, and has worked hard to build strong connections with her students and their families.
Referencing a quote from author Flip Flippen, Williams said, “‘You’ve got to have a kid’s heart before you can have his head,’ and Holly does that. And she doesn’t only do it with the students.”
Johnson frequently visited students at their homes to offer support and needed materials before COVID-19 restrictions went in place, Williams said. She continued that practice during the pandemic and after the return to the classroom.
“It’s all those little things that she does that makes her extra, extra special,” Williams said Monday. “Her kids are very lucky and she has a great team that she works with.”
ESD 113 highlighted Johnson’s work with “Ready! Kindergarten,” a Tenino School District workshop program for parents of kids who will soon be attending kindergarten. Johnson pitched the idea for the program to her school district and remained involved in the program by leading workshops, which each included child care and dinner as a part of the event.
Johnson also applied for and received multiple grants from Donors Choose and the Squaxin Island Tribe for sensory and hands-on learning materials for her students, according to ESD 113.
“She knows that parents of children with disabilities often face greater challenges in raising and finding support for their children. She aims to be that support,” ESD 113 said of Johnson in a news release.
In addition to her work in the classroom, Johnson serves as a mentor and role model to fellow educators, including several members of the Tenino School Board who recalled shadowing her on the job.
“She models what she talks about,” Williams said Monday, calling Johnson “a great example to young teachers and old teachers and old principals alike.”
