NEW MARKET, Ala. — We take you over to New Market, where we meet a teacher who's put in decades of dedication to her littles.
She took a break from teaching, but she loves it so much she returned to the classroom after retirement! Meet FOX54's Top Teacher, Amanda Johnson from New Market School!
New Market School is the place where she started her journey of teaching the littles. "I spent many years in kindergarten. I think it's just that desire to see. They come in knowing so little sometimes and you see so much growth through those years that you see them when they come in at five and six," said Johnson.
New Market School is home for her and what launched her years of teaching. "After 28 years, I had some family event and decided to retire and go home and help her family. But she couldn't resist going back to teaching. "I was fortunate enough to land this year back at my home school, of all places. I'm here at New Market, so back in my home of first grade also," said Johnson.
This is Johnson's 30th year teaching, and she adds that reading is important!
"Learning to read is such a huge deal. And when they finally realize that they are reading those words on that page, just the reaction that they have and the love that they develop for reading and learning is such an impact we can make at this age," said Johnson
Her colleague, Principal Keri Smith, is a witness to Johnson's impact of her students. "She always goes above and beyond, and she just has a lot of compassion, patience. and she's just very, very into with their actual situations," said Smith.
Johnson's impact reaches beyond the classroom. "It's a great community here, and I'm actually teaching children that I taught their parents now. I said, When you're with me, we're a family and that's what we are every day."
{WEB EXTRA: AMANDA JOHNSON SURPRISED AS TOP TEACHER}