Educator of the Week: Diane Johnson

It’s time now to recognize this week’s Educator of the Week, brought to you by the Tennessee Education Lottery.

Diane Johnson is a 3rd grade ELA teacher at East Chester Elementary School.

Her favorite part of being an educator is the chance to form relationships with her students everyday.

Johnson shares that she enjoys seeing her students get excited about learning. She also shares the reason why she teaches.

“I love being with children. Of course, I wanted to have a profession that I could make a difference, that I could add to our community,” Johnson said.

Johnson says many wonderful teachers inspired her to pursue this career but spotlights one in particular.

“My first grade teacher Miss Murphy, probably, was one of the first teachers that I saw share that love of learning with me and she probably, you know, helped me to make that decision later in life,” she said.

Johnson has now been teaching for over 30 years.

“I want to help develop in each of the students that I teach a love for reading, but I want them also to become lifelong learners,” she said.

In her classroom, Johnson and her students actively learn together, read together and have fun.

She shares that meeting each child’s needs is an everyday struggle, but she encourages future educators to rise to the challenge.

“Your students need to know that you love them and that you’re glad to see them everyday at school before they can ever begin learning and they need to know that they’re in a safe place.”

Even decades into her career, Johnson’s affection for education is palpable.

“I love teaching and I think East Chester is a wonderful place to learn and to have fun.”

Johnson is now eligible for the Tennessee Education Lottery Educator of the Month award.

To vote for her or any other nominees, go to the Tennessee Education Lottery website.

To nominate an educator for our Educator of the Week award, email us at [email protected].