I went to the University of Alabama, a PWI. I went back to school and got my master’s degree in English language arts education. Then I started substitute teaching, and then realized that was my path. I was not super fulfilled in that career. I actually started out as a journalism major and English minor. Kimberly Christian Johnson, 2022 Alabama State Teacher of the Year: Word In Black spoke with Black Teachers of the Year - both state and national, past and present - to find out what inspires them to stay in the classroom during this difficult time when education is under attack. And only 7 percent of teachers are Black to begin with. The desire to exit the classroom is especially prevalent among Black teachers and other teachers of color, with more than 40 percent saying they intended to leave their jobs by the end of the 2021-2022 school year, compared to 31 percent of white teachers. Since March 2020, between 25 percent to nearly 50 percent of teachers and principals have reported that they are considering leaving their jobs within the next year, according to RAND’s 2022 State of the American Teacher survey. After using the travel-sized product, he called Johnson a “lifesaver.” These aren’t things Hall and Johnson were asked to do, but it is part of what makes them Teachers of the Year. Recently, a student stopped by her classroom and asked for some deodorant. So they did the shopping for her - making sure to abide by her vegetarian diet - and left groceries on the porch.Īnd, in Alabama, Kimberly Christian Johnson is known as the “school mama.” She keeps supplies in her classroom that students are able to help themselves to, like deodorant, dental care, and even ramen noodles. During the early months of the COVID-19 lockdown, her adopted family was sensitive to Hall’s husband’s heart condition, and they didn’t want her to go out for groceries. In fact, she’s part of an ongoing group message between parents she’s “adopted” during her teaching years.Īnd they give back to her in return. This is representative of the family Hall has created during her roughly 29 years as a teacher. But when Connie Hall was at the White House in April being recognized as a 2023 State Teacher of the Year, her former student, now a staffer in the famous building, ran over to greet her. It had been 10 years since they’d last seen each other - and 17 since they’d been teacher and student.
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