Teacher Spotlight: Media Elementary's Tricia Johnson

Teacher Spotlight is where we will feature a local teacher who deserves recognition. Teachers give a lot to their students, schools and studies and we'd like to recognize them and say a simple, thank you, for all that they do.

In coming weeks, we're going to meet some of Media Elementary School's newest teachers. This 3rd Grade teacher volunteered in an orphanage before beginning her teaching career in New York City's public schools.

Teacher: Tricia Johnson

School: Media Elementary School

Grade/Subject: 3rd Grade

Years in the industry: Two years, first year at Media Elementary 

Teaching History: 

Johnson taught 3rd grade at a New York City public school prior to coming to Media Elementary. Johnson is from Northern North Jersey and recently moved to the Philadelphia area after having lived in New York for 10 years. She graduated from Columbia University and earned her Master's Degree at Teachers College, Columbia University.

Why did you become a teacher:

I worked as a nanny in Colorado after college because I wasn't sure what I wanted to do and I spent a lot of time in the boy's classroom and really loved it. That kind of confirmed what I already suspected about wanting to teach. In high school, I volunteered at orphanages in the Dominican Republic and I also taught English to day laborers at an immigrant resource center in New Jersey. 

What do you like most about your job:

I like watching the kids grow and seeing the growth that they make from the beginning of the year to the end of the year. It's fun to see, and to see how excited they get. Every day is always something new and it's challenging. I like the intellectual challenge of teaching. You're constantly making all these decisions. And the kids are always fun. 

What do you hope your students get out of your classes:

I hope they leave my class more independent learners and confident. I hope they are equipped with strategies that they'll use for the rest of their lives.

If you could change anything about education, what would it be:

I would change the push toward standardization of everything. I understand why it's there but it does narrow the scope of the curriculum at times. 

What do you like best about your current school:

It's a really warm place, a warm community with the faculty and administration. The family support and school and community events are great too.