Longview teacher inspires students, peers

Twenty-two year teaching veteran Dale Johnson’s instruction has reached beyond her classroom and the state. She’s attracted national attention through the success of students’ learning.

In late October, she received the Utah Education Association’s Excellence in Teaching award, an honor given annually to 10 outstanding educators statewide. Johnson won $1,500 and an oval glass plaque from the UEA and partnering Arch Coal Foundation.

“I’ve never tried calling attention to myself; it’s the students who learn and succeed,” said the Longview 5^th-6^th grade teacher. “It’s been wonderful to feel appreciated, but I really want students to know they have a tremendous power for a bright future. Each of them is an incredible person who has a wonderful opportunity to grow and excel.”

Fifth-grader Jessica Horne was proud Johnson received the award.

“She’s an awesome teacher who makes everyone feel as part of the team,” Jessica said. “She has the funniest sense of humor and she’ll create songs and raps to get us to remember things. She makes learning fun.”

Johnson stresses writing and making connections with each assignment. One assignment directs students to talk to their family to learn if someone was involved in the military and write a two-page report, then share a project — poster, map, model or actual artifacts.

“The state core curriculum asks us to study World War II and the effects it had on the world and our lives today. This is an excellent opportunity for them to interview family members, read journals, see photographs and hear stories first-hand. It brings the study of the wars home to them,” she said.

Longview students have received state attention when they’ve performed school minuets at the Utah Shakespearean Festival in Cedar City.

Through the plays, Johnson teaches writing, history, social studies, math, reading, spelling, memorization, interpretation, and speaking clearly and articulately.

“The kids gain a great appreciation of Shakespearean literature, the history of the English language, and the times in world history that it was occurring,” she said. “The students come alive with the characters and have a ball doing it. It’s the most magical and rewarding things I’ve done as a teacher.”

Johnson’s colleague, Tina Nilsson, has worked side-by-side with Johnson nine of her 14 years teaching.

 “Her enthusiasm has been contagious,” Nilsson said. “Her students have fallen in love with words and the beauty with which they inspire and communicate.”

Many of Johnson’s students have earned state and national recognition while never leaving her classroom. They have won first place six of the past seven years in Letters About Literature, a national reading-writing contest sponsored by The Center for the Book in the Library of Congress, where readers write personal letters to authors.

“I want the students to tell them how the book made them think, how it touched their hearts and how the author made an impact on their lives. This is one of the most meaningful assignments I have them write. It’s higher thinking where they analyze literature, describe the theme, its conflicts and dilemmas. When they use precise words, it’s more powerful and expressive,” Johnson said.

Johnson’s teaching also motivated fellow teachers.

“Dale is such an inspirational colleague and mentor,” teacher Jennifer Allred said. “She has shown me the ropes and to set a higher level of thinking and expectations for students. She shows students how they can meet them and succeed.”