Earlier this year one of our esteemed clients, Western Governors University (WGU), partnered with Lifetime™ for #SheDidThat – a campaign that celebrated four exceptional women who earned master’s degrees from WGU and have gone on to better the world as teachers, nurses, innovators, entrepreneurs and glass-ceiling breakers.
Out of the hundreds of nominations, Michelle Johnson, a language arts and student leadership teacher at Legacy High School in Kennewick, Washington was selected to be featured. Michelle is a graduate of WGU Washington’s College of Teaching and works with at-risk students who are vulnerable to problem behaviors, along with mental health disorders.
“So many of them have overcome so many of life’s challenges,” said Michelle, when describing the grit and determination of her students. “I tell people all the time, my students have a Ph.D in life – they’re just working on getting their high school diploma.”
Michelle works to make sure all her students have what they need to reach their potential, whether that means providing them with basics like clean clothing and toiletries so they can attend school with dignity, or teaching them the leadership skills they need to succeed after graduation.
Outside of the classroom she is making an incredible impact on the local community. For example, Michelle created a leadership program where students are given opportunities to volunteer with organizations such as Meals on Wheels, Habitat for Humanity, and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
If you ask Michelle why she wanted to teach, she’ll tell you that one of the reasons has to do with the kids in the park, across the street from her school—the ones who’ve spent the night sleeping on picnic-tables.
“We have kids who are homeless and sleeping in the park across the street and as soon as we open the doors in the morning, they’re coming in to get warm,” said Michelle.
Michelle was also drawn to teaching from personal experience – her little brother was an at-risk teen, too. It’s all of this that led her to a career in education. She nearly chose a career path in marketing but soon realized where her true passion lay when working in education for some extra income. After excelling in her role as a para-educator, her colleagues noticed her knack for teaching and encouraged her to earn her bachelor’s degree and a position as a full-time teacher.
She soon realized that not only could she teach, but she could continue to expand her career and become an education leader in her community with flexible, online courses. Michelle earned a Master of Education degree in Learning and Technology from Western Governors University’s Teachers College.
Michelle hopes that one day she won’t hear about teens sleeping on park benches anymore. She’s working hard to help teens avoid that and similar challenges – like the ones her little brother faced when he was in high school.
It was our distinct pleasure to share Michelle’s inspiring story with media to highlight the impact she is making on her local community. We secured two broadcast interviews with the local NBC (KNDO/KNDU) and ABC (KVEW) affiliates in Kennewick that illustrate how Michelle is paying it forward.
To learn more about the extraordinary accomplishments of these four WGU grads and the #SheDidThat campaign, please visit wgu.edu/shedidthat.