Ronald Johnson, Sr,

I was raised in a single parent household. I am the second oldest of the four children. My mom struggle to maintain consistent living arrangements which were conducive to raising a family; therefore, we moved almost every three months or so, which constituted a lack of stability. We lived in the inner city; in a predominately black neighborhood where most of the citizens lived below the poverty level. Education was not stressed as an importance or priority. 

My educational experiences were just as inconsistent and unstable as the rest of my youth. I attended many different schools. I recall having attended seven elementary schools, three middle schools, and three high schools. I was a strong learner. In elementary school, I received many awards for spelling, writing and art. I was great in math and learned all of the concepts of mathematics at every level until high school.  

At the age of 18, I decided to drop out of school. It appeared that schooling was serving me no purpose. I would spend the next six to seven years as a wanderer. I spent two of those years homeless, sleeping in abandoned buildings, empty project apartments, and riding the city buses (But God!). 

In 1990, I finally found a stable place to live. The opportunity to complete my high school education was presented to me. I attended a vocational program and earned my GED after just three months of attendance. Afterwards I enrolled at Wooster Business College and earned my Private Security and Firearms Certification. From there I was then able to obtain employment  but in various positions. 

I would begin my college journey in 1997. I earned the following educational endeavors:

• Masters of Education / Administration & Supervision
• Masters of Education / Special Education 
• Bachelors of Arts in Social Science w/ Concentration in Education  
• Associate of Arts Degree / General Studies
• Ohio Peace Office Training Certificate and Firearms Training
• General Equivalency Diploma 

I founded the F.O.C.U.S. Program in 2003. As an Instructional Assistant I was only one of two Black American Men in the building. Teachers were demonstrating many frustrations while trying to teach in a disruptive environment.    

I was summoned many times to assist in different classrooms to help with disruptive behaviors. As I observed many of the boys, I came to realize that they were experiencing some difficulties with remaining "focused" during instruction. This inspired me to begin my "doctoral research" on why boys in early elementary are experiencing failure in school. This would be my program design and presentation while I was completing my program at Liberty University.

 Teaching is a transformational and motivational process which works for the betterment of students, parents, and the community. It is knowing the difference between knowledge (information) and wisdom (perspective). When instruction is delivered with intention and purpose both knowledge and wisdom will be embedded. This manifests into effective and beneficial growth and development, directly impacting the student (learning); the teacher (success); family (engagement); and community (support). 

Teaching encompasses the elements of compassion, diligence, courage, integrity, and the drive to reach beyond the parameters of the formal educational mortar to discover answers needed to make sufficient and sustainable progress, which for me is a source of great joy. It is my passion to solve the immediate and present challenges faced by students, staff, and families with the perspective of a holistic approach. This means that my concentration is working with the end in mind; or being a futuristic thinker.

My ability to think with vision and act in faith to organize and intentionally provide transformational education for student growth and achievement; professional developmental opportunities for staff; and engagement opportunities for families all while continuously engaging in personal growth and development for operative and prodigious change is what has made me an outstanding educator. 

2019 G.H.Reid Teacher of the Year

2019 Richmond Public School Top Ten Teacher of the Year Nominee

2019 LifeChanger of the Year Nominee

2016 Commendation of Service Richmond Behavioral Health Authority

2009 Deans List J Sargent Reynolds Community College