WREX.com – Rockford’s News LeaderTeacher of the Week: Mrs. Johnson

Teacher of the Week: Mrs. Johnson

By Laura Gibbs

ROCKFORD (WREX) - Watching our "Teacher of the Week" segment inspires a 3rd grader to start rattling off why her teacher is so great. After reading off a bunch of traits her mom typed it all up and submitted the nomination to WREX.

That's how Mrs. Jean Johnson at Washington Elementary School got the honor of being our "Teacher of the Week."

In this room of eager learners the amusing and heartfelt actions by Mrs. Johnson often remain very vivid once the final bell rings.  3rd grade parent Rita Schmidt says, "She loves coming to this classroom. Everyday she comes home with a story."

Rita Schmidt's daughter Zoey tells her mom about how Mrs. Johnson told these 3rd graders to take their shoes off and relax or about the fancy technology better known as a SMART board that's in this classroom. But the weeks not complete without a story involving one of the three classroom pets. Zoey put all of her most memorable experiences in a letter to 13 News. Zoey writes, "When it's cold outside for recess she has hot cocoa waiting for us on our desks."

Mrs. Johnson admits, "I grew up in Buffalo and I don't like to be cold. So when they come in with their little frozen faces yes I have cocoa."

During our surprise Mrs. Johnson was busy making sure the kids could comprehend what they read especially with ISAT tests right around the corner. Mrs. Johnson says, "I set the bar high when you believe in them the things they can do is pretty outstanding."

Students are put in many real-life scenarios. It's part of Mrs. Johnson's teaching motto.  This 3rd grade teacher uses tickets kind-of like adults use money. Mrs. Johnson tells 13 News, "You do something good and you are rewarded for it."

Students get tickets taken away for not cleaning up but can watch tickets pile up for making a good decision. You can tell these students aim to please. .

Mrs. Johnson has her Masters Degree and has been teaching for three years.