By Samantha McGuinness
After 12 years of teaching at Oliver Ames, Mr. Johannessen constantly goes back to a phone call he had years ago that lead him to this life. Yes he always planned to be a teacher, but somewhere down the road that was put on halt while he had a family.
“I guess life just got in the way,” as Mr. Johannessen (60), puts it. He planned to be a teacher in college and subbed for a few years after graduating. “I did student teaching right out of college.”
But after getting married and having a kid, he realized he needed a steady income before going forward in life. He received a phone call from the Rockland High principal asking him to become a long term sub at the school, and he had to make a decision.
“At that time I was already in construction, I was married and had a son, and he couldn’t pay me enough,” Mr. J. recounts the moment like he has several times before. Mr. J had to take a step back from teaching and take life into his own hands.
“I had to shift gears and get into construction,” He comments, he does not regret the decision, but it is an interesting one.
He constantly wonders whether if he took the position offered, would his life be different? What would have happened if he became a teacher right out of college with his family just starting?
“It would have changed the trajectory of my life,” He added as he looked off, probably wondering more about the decision.
After spending 25 years in construction, he was offered a position at Oliver Ames High School as an english teacher. Even though he put teaching on hold, he still had a passion for it and didn’t want to give up all he learned in college. Now he has been here for 12 years with retirement soon approaching.
“It’s just a career for young people now, it has definitely taken its toll on me.”
He sighed as he commented, if both his hips hadn’t been replaced he’d be able to handle a lot more getting up and walking around.
Even though it has taken its toll, what always brings Mr. J back to teaching is the kids. He has been teaching the same material for almost 12 years, but he always learns something new every time he teaches it. The most important thing he’s learned while teaching has been from the kids.
“There are kids here who get left behind if you don’t pay attention to them”.
He cares about his students, they’re not just his job, they matter to him. “I try to pay attention to all the kids that haven’t gotten much attention over the years.”
Mr. J takes time to help his students with concepts that they don’t understand. He tries to help his students who are not College Prep students the most, knowing they need more attention sometimes.
“If you’re not a college prep student, you can easily slip through the cracks, and become marginalized in most schools.”
Mr. J wants to make sure he pays attention to those kids so they don’t slip through the cracks. He wants to help them get out of school too, not just the academically strong kids.
Even though Mr. J realizes the faults in school systems, he would definitely recommend teaching to those who want to join the profession. He believes that teaching is made for young, open minded, considerate and caring individuals who are ready to deal with everything that comes with it.
“You need to be able to understand all the negative stuff that comes with teaching and deal with it.”
Although the positives definitely outweigh the negatives, “There are some people that just aren’t made for it”, he adds.
Overall Mr. J loves his job at Oliver Ames but also cannot wait to enter retirement and relax. He plans to get back into construction independently and working small side jobs for friends and family. He plans to continue teaching for a while and has no estimate when he will retire but he will never forget the amazing journey teaching has been for him.