Angela Johnson. Photography by Kathy Tran.

Johnson, 42, taught at Pearl C. Anderson Middle School in South Dallas for 10 years, and she thought that’s where she would retire, until that campus closed about seven years ago. Now in her 21st year of teaching, she says she loves Kennedy-Curry.

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“My big goal was that we go to UIL each year and perform successfully, and to start a jazz band,” she says.

Four years ago, the band won “sweepstakes” at UIL competition for the first time in the school’s history. Her husband is also a teacher, in Grand Prairie ISD. They have four children: Carmen, 24, a certified public accountant; Marcus, 17, who is the 2021 valedictorian of Barak Obama Male Leadership Academy and has a full academic ride to the University of Texas at Austin; Madison, 14, who is in the dance cluster at Greiner and was recently accepted to Townview; and Christian, 11, who is in fifth grade at Central Elementary, a DISD school in Seagoville.

How she knew she wanted to become a teacher

I knew when I was in elementary school that I wanted to be a teacher. I always loved going to school and en- joyed playing school with my grandfather. I would be the teacher, and he would be the student.

Why she became a band director

When I was in middle school, I joined the band and instantly knew that I wanted to become a band director. I enjoyed learning how to play the clarinet and the challenge of learning to play different types of music. When I went to high school, I really enjoyed learning the different marching drills and performing at competitions.

Why she teaches middle school

Middle school students are the best! These are the years when children begin to develop into the people they will become. I see them grow from young sixth-graders to mature eighth-graders. The transformation through these pivotal grade levels is miraculous, and it is an honor to contribute to their development.

A teacher who influenced her

Ms. Jennifer Lloyd was my middle school band director, and seeing her work inspired me at an early age. I have also had an outstanding mentor, Mr. Lorenzo Parker, for the past five years. He has guided me and molded me into the band director I am today.

How her classroom is unique

When a student enters my class, I make sure they know two things. First, that they are valued in my class. Next, all students know that they will learn a skill that they once thought was unachievable. I enjoy getting them excited about learning new things and giving them confidence to showcase what they have learned in a safe environment. Failure is never an option in my class.

Misconceptions people have about teaching

What people don’t see is that we generally work 10- to 12-hour days. Most of our days off turn into hours of planning or training so that we can stay up to date on the most current trends and deliver the best instruction possible.

Advice for parents of middle school kids

As a parent of four children, I have always made sure that they know that school is important on all levels. Sometimes when students enter middle school, parents tend to feel like they can relax and not be as involved in their child’s education. I would just encourage parents to stay involved in their child’s school life.

A favorite moment in teaching

Any time my students make their first sound on their instrument. I enjoy this the most because they all start from a point of not knowing what to do at all and feeling like they won’t be able to make that first sound. To see the joy on their faces when they achieve that milestone is the best feeling ever. It never gets old.