Cynthia Johnson

While my title says that I’m a “teacher,” I take great pride in wearing the many hats that come with the job. From counselor to protector to problem solver, each role and responsibility is ultimately why I believe I was called for this profession. My professional journey did not begin in education; however, having grown up in family of educators coupled with my passion for helping others, I always knew this is where I wanted to be. I graduated from Oklahoma Christian University with a degree in Speech Pathology. Upon graduation, I pursued careers in both the business and healthcare professions. While I am grateful for these experiences, I always believed I was called to be in a classroom. Ultimately, I found myself as a Teacher Assistant in a multiple disability classroom at Andrew Johnson Elementary. This was the genesis of my affinity with helping students, specifically with special needs. I would eventually obtain the necessary certification and licensure to become a Special Education teacher, where I have spent the last 20 years.

Why Special Education, you ask? I believe as an educator, my main responsibility is to equip students with the necessary skills and tools to be successful in life. From my first opportunity at Andrew Johnson, it was apparent to me that the Special Education arena was the perfect space for me to lay groundwork and put my ideas into action. I vowed to spend time learning, observing, researching, and studying others in the field while also expanding my scope, so that I could design a classroom that was structured to support the needs of my students rather than hinder them. During my tenure at Nichols Hills, I have been fortunate enough to have a great team around me to help bring my vision to fruition. As I reflect on my journey thus far, I can definitively say that I have learned just as much, if not more, from my students, as they may have learned from me. This growth mindset has helped me evolve, but more importantly, is the impetus behind me helping each student reach and surpass his or her highest potential.