michelle johnson
English Instructor
Sierra College
Milestones
My road in life has taken me all over.
Scholarship to attend University of Nebraska at Omaha as an education major.
Money ran out, Didn't qualify for financial aid, parents said it's time to move out.
Got married.
Had a child.
Got a divorce.
Went back to school--waitressed, bartended, moved out on my own. Discovered a love of learning.
Graduated nine years later with a MA in Creative Writing--the first in my family!
Continued waitressing and bartending while teaching as an adjunct professor at five campuses; five years later my first full time interview for a tenure-track English professor opened. I got it! Woo!
Education
High School
William Jennings Bryan High School
William Jennings Bryan High School
Career
English Instructor
I turn students on to the thrill of reading, writing, and all magic in between.
Career Roadmap
My work combines:
My work combines:
Education
Writing
Communicating / Sharing Stories
Day to Day
Get up, head to class. I teach a total of five classes, we meet twice a week for an hour and twenty minutes. In addition to instruction, I hold office hours, where I have the opportunity to meet with students one on one. Because I get bored easily, I am constantly researching new ways to inspire and reach my students. There is a lot of out of class time spent on grading, and that really is the most time consuming, sometimes the most frustrating (but equally rewarding) part of the job.
Advice for Getting Started
Here's the first step for everyone
Be persistent. Be open to doing a lot of side jobs in the process. Ask for help. Get to know people within the department. Volunteer. Stay upbeat and positive because teaching is the BEST job!! Honest.
Recommended Education
My career is related to what I studied. I'd recommend the path I took:
Hurdles
The Noise I Shed
From Parents:
""How are you ever going to make a decent living with a degree in poetry?""
Challenges I Overcame
Financial
Interviewed By
