Sing it: Johnson is Teacher of Year

Austin High School choral director Brian Johnson receives a standing ovation from his students after it was revealed that he was Austin Schools Teacher of the Year Tuesday morning. - Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com

Austin High School choir students already know Brian Johnson is a good teacher. That’s why they cheered so loud when he was announced as the 2011 Austin Teacher of the Year.

Johnson was formally announced Tuesday morning to a standing ovation from his Concert Choir class.

“He totally deserves it,” said Breanna Bergstrom, AHS senior. “He’s always got little tidbits of wisdom to share.”

Johnson came to Austin in 1987 and credits his success as a teacher to his professional relationship with Phil Burkhart, Ellis Middle School band teacher, and other Austin teachers.

“I couldn’t have come to a better place,” Johnson told students.

Johnson doesn’t necessarily do things different from other teachers, but said he finds out about his students and takes an interest in their lives to figure out how they can achieve academic and musical success.

“You know how far you can push them,” Johnson said.

It’s that dedication to students that made him such a respected teacher among staff and students.

“He always gets into his work,” said Hope McAlister, AHS senior.

Luke May agrees. The AHS sophomore said he tried to get into choir last year but didn’t pass the audition. He came to Johnson after school to work on his voice after Johnson told him to audition again. May got into Concert Choir this year.

“He stuck with me the whole way,” May said.

As Austin’s Teacher of the Year, Johnson has a chance to become the 2012 Minnesota Teacher of the Year. He is now a lifetime Teacher of the Year committee member under the Austin Education Association.

“We think the State Teacher of the Year is right here in Austin,” said Cheryl Dunlap, AEA chairperson.

SportsPlus

News

Should Minnesota continue to put lottery dollars toward the environment?

Mower County

Photos: Tricks, treats and smiles at Comforcare

Crime, Courts & Emergencies

Woman in pull-tab scheme to serve jail time

Crime, Courts & Emergencies

APD searching for armed robbery suspect

Mower County

Active Transportation Planning Assistance grants now available

Blooming Prairie

Local FFA Member Awarded National American FFA Degree

Mower County

Austin Noon Lions kick up a party with 80th anniversary Hootenanny

Mower County

Austin Page Turners make selection for 23rd annual city wide reading event

Business

Kilpatrick selected as CRC’s newest regional business manager

Education

10 tutors needed in Austin to help students with reading, math

Business

KSMQ selected for Public Media Digital Transformation Program

News

A decade of racial justice activism transformed politics, but landmark reforms remain elusive

Mower County

Riverland Theatre Ignites its Season with ‘Carrie: The Musical’

Crime, Courts & Emergencies

Standoff in SE Austin Monday afternoon ends peacefully after 2 1/2 hours

News

A Minnesota woman is accused of turning in a ballot for her dead mother. A routine check caught it

Business

Partnerships highlighted during ceremony for 1st & 3rd Apartments

News

Trump’s Madison Square Garden event features crude and racist insults

Mower County

Photos: Tricks and treats come to downtown Austin

Mower County

Women in Business: For the love of coffee and comics

Mower County

Women in Business: Being a part of a larger family

Mower County

New county health plan part of a spreading move to opening doors

Mower County

Karl’s Legacy: Potach’s eclipse $1M donated to Institute, given key to the city

Mower County

Additional times for absentee voting coming up

Business

The Minnesota Star Tribune launches statewide news partnership