On November 27, 2007 I interviewed Mr. Johnston. Mr. Johnston is primarily a French teacher at Winston Churchill C.I. Mr. Johnston has been a teacher for the past eight years, and began his teaching career at Winston Churchill. Mr. Johnston is definitely one of the more popular teachers at Churchill and it would be impossible to find someone who doesn’t like the guy. He gets along with everyone, is always their to help his students, and is just a fun guy to be around.
Today we take a look at Mr. Johnston’s teaching career and the road he took to become the teacher he is today.
1. Hi, how are you doing?
I’m doing very well thanks.
2. What inspired you to become a teacher?
I was living in Montreal, I was turning 30 and decided I needed a change in my life, so I went back to University to get my degree.
3. What hardships did you go through in University?
I had to work 25 hours a week and keep up with my school work, and some of my courses were in English, so that was tough because in Montreal the work was in French.
4. Why did you decide you needed a change?
Life is not easy when you are turning 30 and only making $20 000 a year, for the last 10 years at the same job.
5. How was your previous job?
I worked for a printing company, it was very physical with lots of lifting.
6. Why did you stay there for so long?
I was afraid of leaving my job, the thought of going back to University frightened me.
7. What part of going back scared you?
It would’ve meant losing friends, losing the money that paid my rent, and the fear of failing.
8. How long did it take after you got your degree to become a teacher?
Funny story. After teacher’s college I went for the board interview and got rejected. It was in April. Churchill happened to be looking for a French teacher and my mother in law knew someone at Churchill and helped me get the job. I got the job around August.
9. What were you doing between April and August?
I was depressed but I didn’t give up hope. I was working at my part-time job full time, wondering if I was ever going to get my dream job, and I did!
Mr. Johnston loves his job and loves his students even more. This interview goes to show that good things happen to good people. It also teaches us that it is never too late. Mr. Johnston went back to University when he was turning 30 and never looked back from there, it was a big risk, but sometimes you have to take a risk to be where you want to be .After all of Mr. Johnston’s hard work he became the teacher he wanted to be. He got a big unlucky at his interview but with some patience he got the job. It is never too late and with some hard work and patience everyone can achieve success.
