- December 31, 2024
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Sarah Johns wanted to pass on the gift many of her teachers gave her growing up: The gift of learning and loving music.
"I’ve had so many wonderful educators that so willingly gave every ounce of their passion and knowledge so that I may experience the joy of music, that it just became part of who I am," Johns said. "I could never imagine doing anything else."
The Osceola Elementary School Teacher of the Year is in her 20th year of teaching, and she currently teaches music. She holds a bachelor's in music from Appalachian State University in North Carolina and a master's in music education from Winthrop University in South Carolina. Being nominated for Teacher of the Year was "everything [she] thought it would be," Johns said, and that she feels honored to receive the recognition from her school's staff.
"To be recognized by your peers is an accomplishment that I will always treasure," Johns said.
Her favorite thing about teaching is making music with her students.
"Everything is new to them and challenging and fun," she said. "To see the looks on their faces when we create something in class is just priceless."
If she could share one piece of wisdom, it's that she hopes her students always believe in themselves, even if others don't.
"You never know what you might accomplish simply by trying," Johns said.
