Elementary

Coach Sarah Johnson helps her team warm up before their tournament at Seaman High School. (Photo by Alex Hawkins)

Johnson impressed by high expectations

By Samie Darling

September 24, 2008

A lot of change is going on in the Silver Lake High School this year: a new batch of freshmen, new classes, new buildings, and even a few new teachers. One particular fifth grade teacher, Sarah Johnson, is excited to start teaching at Silver Lake.

“Silver Lake has high expectations and standards. That obviously gravitated me toward this school and this community,” said Johnson.

Johnson previously taught fifth grade at Whitson Elementary and several of the Topeka public schools. Since the start of the school year, though, she has already noticed a key factor at Silver Lake: not only does the school expect a lot from the students, but the students expect a lot from themselves.

“The kids have high expectations and are self motivated. They don't need you on them to get things done. They strive to do their best on their own,” she said.

Besides the students’ enthusiasm to learn, Johnson likes that she can be herself around them.

“I love the interaction I get to have with fifth graders. They can keep up with my jokes and, at the same time, they still have an eagerness to learn,” Johnson said.

Although Johnson quickly adjusted to her new students, there are some aspects of the job that are going to take a little more time.

“My biggest challenge for teaching this year is just learning the day-to-day routine, how things are run. I’m in a technology-rich classroom, which I'm really excited about learning a lot of new stuff, but it’s going to be new for me,” said Johnson.

Johnson is taking on a lot this school year. Along with new technology and new students at a new school, she’s also the head coach of the 2008 Lady Eagles volleyball team. One quality she likes to see in the classroom is also one she loves to see on the volleyball court.

“I love seeing the girls be successful, constantly learning and getting better every day. Just like in the classroom, I have high expectations on the court as well,” Johnson said.

This year the Lady Eagles are defending a back-to-back state championship and that could be intimidating for a first-year head coach, but Johnson’s up for the challenge.

“I'm excited. I know I've got 30 some girls backing me up that are willing to do whatever it takes to get back to state. That motivates me,” Johnson said.