Randy Johnson-Band instructor, Chisholm Public School
Students with a love to learn have motivated Randy Johnson to stay in the classroom for the past 21 years. He has shared his love of music with students at Chisholm Public School for 18 of those years.
Mr. Johnson teaches middle and high school band, choir, and guitar. The CHS band is synonymous with school spiritmaking it important for band members to positively represent the program. Cleaning up after themselves and treating people with respect are ways his students leave a good impression.
“I love that the students in our band program enjoy being around each other. They take pride in their work and care about the small details that go into being a member of a larger group,” he says, “I do not have to ask them to do every little thing. They step up without being asked, doing the things we need to do to accomplish our goals.”
Patience is the most valuable lesson he has learned from students. Moments of understanding, learning and personal growth seen in students’ lives are the most rewarding. The most difficult part about teaching is staying motivated when hearing negative comments about the profession, he says.
“Fortunately, I have been blessed with a community and parents that are very supportive and put in many hours working at the school supporting students and teachers. One of the reasons for our success,” he says, “is that I have always had a group of parents willing to be involved and support what we are doing in the classroom. Our community has also shown a commitment to supporting music in our schools and protecting it from neglect.”
Marching in the Disney World Parade of Lights in Orlando will always be one of Mr. Johnson’s favorite memories, but it is the hard-earned accomplishments of the special few that stand out the most. “For me, when that one student that struggles at being successful keeps at it for years to finally see success, that,” he says, “is the most important accomplishment.”
