Genny Johnson has known since she was young that she didn’t want a job keeping her at a desk five days a week, and there’s no doubt a career in teaching is anything but a desk job.

“When it came time to choose a career of my own there really was no choice,” Johnson says. “It was a career I believe was already chosen for me by God. I can’t imagine myself anywhere else.”

Johnson has been a fourth grade teacher at J. Larry Newton Elementary in Fairhope for more than three years.

Johnson says spending time with her students is her favorite aspect of this career.

“The stories and personalities they bring to the table everyday are the sole reason I do what I do,” Johnson says. “I never know what they are going to say and I have to say, nothing shocks me. I love the idea that they rush to school and can’t wait to tell me the smallest things in their lives.”

As a child, Johnson admits math was hard for her and it became a subject she dreaded each day.

She says she works hard every day to make her lesson plans fun for her students, so none of her subjects become daunting.

“Because of my experiences in math, I believe I have become a better teacher in all subject areas,” she says. “I do not want them to feel like I did. With that said, I try and plan activities I know they will be eager to jump into.”

Along with building a lesson plan and teaching various subjects, Johnson says she also tries to help her students feel comfortable

“Teaching is so much more than just teaching math, reading or science,” Johnson says. “While these things are important, I believe teaching is also about inspiring and helping them to find their passion.”

She says she hopes her students believe they can accomplish anything once they leave her classroom.

“I want them to feel they are loved and accepted for exactly who they are,” Johnson says. “I hope I have lit a fire in them helping them find exactly who they should be in this world.”

TEACHER: Genny Johnson

SCHOOL: J. Larry Newton School

GRADE(S) TAUGHT: Fourth grade