Mrs. Johnson
Why Science?
Science is sense-sational!
During the full of my career I have always been an educator in elementary schools.
As an elementary teacher I repeatedly came to appreciate the manner in which science instruction provides an academic process that expects the learner to work actively towards greater understanding of their own observations and direct experiences. Experiential learning is developmentally on target for young learners and discovery itself creates a strong memory of the content gained.
At the elementary level, engagement could be staged and developed by bringing the student’s observations and interests to bear within the science lesson at the very point at which it becomes a lived experience in the classroom.
This is an exciting dynamic for a teacher to work with because it allows many opportunities for the students to drive the lessons forward.
It is fun, to build understanding and connections in the moment of experience. It can allow for deeper implications to be discovered by students because it is not being delivered verbally. This is an exciting way to learn and have that learning stick in memory.
I came to teach at Avoca in 2005.
Previous to working with district 37, I taught for 5 years in Oregon and 16 years in the state of New Mexico.
In addition to my tenure there with both independent and public schools, I was a science educator for the New Mexico Museum of Natural History. I led field-based programs for elementary aged students out into the areas around Albuquerque. This museum quality program took in geologic explorations that included sand dunes, volcanoes, rivers and the mountain’s crest.The kids signed up for 5 days... but I signed up every summer (wait for it...) for 8 years!
My capacity for science education was greatly enhanced through employment with the New Mexico Museum of Natural History.
I earned my BA in Elementary Education with a concentration in math and science through National University in Evanston and my Master’s Degree was awarded from The University of New Mexico.