Austin High School choir teacher Brian Johnson was awarded for his hard work Monday by the Austin Rotary Club as their Educator of the Year.

Tuesday, June 19, 2001

Austin High School choir teacher Brian Johnson was awarded for his hard work Monday by the Austin Rotary Club as their Educator of the Year.

Four students had nominated Johnson, who was selected as the only finalist.

Some nominations had a serious tone, while others expressed the full range of Johnson’s capabilities, saying that "his love for music spreads like a disease."

Johnson was honored by the award, and accepted it with grace, saying in jest that "he was "too old for this kind of thing."

He said that he owed his success to his wife and his mother, who taught elementary school and played the piano.

The choir teacher admitted that it took him 15 years to get comfortable teaching, and that hard work was the key to the job.

"Most teachers," he said, "would agree that teaching is a science as well as an art."

Johnson, who has spent 14 years at AHS, said, "You never learn all there is to know about students."

Johnson received a plaque and $250 for his programs, which he promised to give to the Austin Music Boosters Association for summer music camp scholarships

Clark Toland, a local businessman, was head of the committee that selected Johnson.

Toland said that he looked for people who translate that they "love to do what they do," to their students, which reveals a "message of dedication to their students."

Last year’s recipient was Katie Ulwelling, who won it for her work in special education.

In addition to the $250 given to Johnson, the Rotary Club gave $2,000 to the Austin Education Association while Dan Hewitt was president.

The Rotary Club also awarded Joe Collins, who volunteered at the American Red Cross, its Community Service Recipient award, for his "compassion and encouragement" during the Austin flooding.

Collins helped pass out food to needy victims, working 133 hours in one three-week period.

Collins said that he had trouble volunteering in the past: "When your full-time employed, you’re not always available to help other people."

The 81-year-old Austin Rotary Club also gives money to Polio Plus, which attempts to eradicate the disease.

Gary Rhodes, incoming Rotary president, serves as president at Riverland Community College.

Call Sam Garchik at 434-2233 or e-mail him at newsroom@austindailyherald.com.