Teaching is my second career, in my other life, as I like to say, I use to work in transportation and owned a trucking company. Teaching is by far the best job I have ever had! Kids are way more fun to work with than truckers. This will be my twenty-second year of teaching and my fourteenth year at 5th grade. I taught kindergarten at Golden for four years. I also taught first grade at Windrows for four years. I enjoyed teaching the younger students, but I find teaching older students more interesting.
I have lived in Rancho Cucamonga/Upland area for the past 36 years. I have been married to my husband, Greg, for years. We have a daughter, Bailee, who also works for Etiwanda SD at Solorio Elementary, she is married to Patrick, another Etiwanda teacher who teaches 4th grade at CP Lightfoot Elementary. They have our first grandchild, Troy. He is almost 3. They will also have our first granddaughter, Tessa, who will be one this fall. We also have a son Grady, who is a firefighter for the city of Los Angeles, who is married to Mariah. They have our second grandchild, Gideon, who will be 2 at the end of October.
I graduated a million years ago, okay 1985, from Cal State Fullerton with a business administration degree. I attended Chapman to obtain my teaching credential and my Master of Arts in Teaching. I also had the opportunity, back in the day, to work as a math trainer for our district.
I am a first generation American and English is my second language. Who would have guessed with a name like Vicky Johnson, right? It sounds so all- American. My Eastern European parents taught me to appreciate the privilege of growing up in America. All of my past experiences and education are reflected in my philosophy on teaching. I think children are amazing and getting to influence their lives is a responsibility I take very seriously. Each year I look forward to personally getting to know my students and their families so I can solidify our partnership in educating their child. Educating, for me, goes beyond the academics. I hope to help students learn to be more respectful, honest, kind, polite and responsible people in conjunction with every academic lesson. The ultimate goal of the American education system is to have each and every student grow up into a successful contributing member of our American society. I am truly looking forward to meeting all of my students and their families and having a wonderful year!