I am impacting education in my community by being my authentic self — by sharing my unique voice and identity with my peers and my students. Each day I bring my whole heart, spirit, and creativity to the school and my community.
Monique Johnson, originally from Winston-Salem, North Carolina, earned a B.A. in interdisciplinary studies with a concentration in sociology and a B.A. in elementary education with a concentration in special education from Winston-Salem State University in 1997 and 2008 respectively. She currently serves as a fourth-grade teacher at the Academy at Middle Fork. Read on to learn more:
Why did you choose to work at the Academy at Middle Fork?
I chose to work at Middle Fork because the school is a place where you can witness measurable change and the impact of education. Also, the school’s empowering and encouraging atmosphere is contagious!
What's your favorite part about working at the Academy at Middle Fork?
My favorite part is the opportunities that are given to EVERYONE to lead and grow professionally.
How are you impacting education in your community?
I am impacting education in my community by being my authentic self — by sharing my unique voice and identity with my peers and my students. Each day I bring my whole heart, spirit, and creativity to the school and my community.
The Academy at Middle Fork has a reading literacy focus. What is your favorite book?
I have many favorite books that have inspired me through the years...
My favorite children's books are The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein and Amazing Grace by Mary Hoffman.
My favorite adult books are Assata: An Autobiography by Assata Shakur and Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World by Joanna Weaver.
“Learning together” is a core commitment of the Academy at Middle Fork. What does "learning together" mean to you?
To me, “learning together” means we are working together to help our community grow as a whole. This means making learning engaging, embracing culture and diversity, incorporating innovative technology into the classroom, staying teachable, and valuing one another's ideas. TEAMWORK!
Describe an experience where you "learned together" at the Academy at Middle Fork.
I believe my biggest learning experience to date was working as a team during the COVID-19 pandemic. At that time, I was teaching fifth grade, and my fellow teachers and I worked together virtually to learn and implement new technology to enhance our student learning and success. We had to work together and learn together to ensure that NO student was left behind.
Just for fun, what is your favorite candy?
I have three: ALMOND JOY Candy Bars, M&M'S Peanut Chocolate Candy and Raisinets.
Monique Johnson
