Teacher: MAria johnson
Mrs. Johnson has taught sixth grade at Jackson since 2008.
Q: Have you noticed any changes in the school or neighborhood since your time there?
A: I’ve seen a lot of change in the student body and the neighborhood. Mainly because of gentrification. It used to be a predominately Italian neighborhood. Now there is a large mix of Asian, Jewish and Mexican people. The property prices of the neighborhood are going up and a lot of the poorer people are being forced out because of it.
Q: What is your favorite part about the school?
A: The staff. I have built a good relationship with the people there. We work together well there and have built kind of a small family the last few years.
Q: What do you think needs the most work?
A: I wish there was more cohesiveness within the different races…especially with the parents. For example, I have seen the white parents come in and separate themselves with the Mexican parents...
Test scores! Our test scores from last year just came in and we need serious
improvement.
Q: What is class size like?
A: Well, this year I'm going to have 36 kids, the most I've ever had. I'm stressed.
Q: What is the dress code here?
A: Make sure you dress up the first week of school. After that then you can be more casual. No sandals. Dress comfortably because we have no air conditioner in our room.
Q: What is one thing I should know before I student teach in September?
A: If you have a problem, do not go to the Principal with complaints. Go to her with possible solutions. She doesn’t mess around.
We also have a new Vice Principal, so be aware of that.
Q: Have you noticed any changes in the school or neighborhood since your time there?
A: I’ve seen a lot of change in the student body and the neighborhood. Mainly because of gentrification. It used to be a predominately Italian neighborhood. Now there is a large mix of Asian, Jewish and Mexican people. The property prices of the neighborhood are going up and a lot of the poorer people are being forced out because of it.
Q: What is your favorite part about the school?
A: The staff. I have built a good relationship with the people there. We work together well there and have built kind of a small family the last few years.
Q: What do you think needs the most work?
A: I wish there was more cohesiveness within the different races…especially with the parents. For example, I have seen the white parents come in and separate themselves with the Mexican parents...
Test scores! Our test scores from last year just came in and we need serious
improvement.
Q: What is class size like?
A: Well, this year I'm going to have 36 kids, the most I've ever had. I'm stressed.
Q: What is the dress code here?
A: Make sure you dress up the first week of school. After that then you can be more casual. No sandals. Dress comfortably because we have no air conditioner in our room.
Q: What is one thing I should know before I student teach in September?
A: If you have a problem, do not go to the Principal with complaints. Go to her with possible solutions. She doesn’t mess around.
We also have a new Vice Principal, so be aware of that.
Some interesting observations...
- We noticed Mrs. Johnson's observations of race relations in the school were a bit different than what we heard about race relations in the community. Mrs. Johnson spoke of racial segregation, whereas community members generally told us everyone of all ethnicities got along well.
- We spoke to Mrs. Johnson right after the PSSA score were released. While we don't have the actual numbers, she said they need "serious improvement." We wonder what this means for Jackson, which typically has PSSA scores above the district average.
- Finally, Mrs. Johnson's perspective on the staff and principal was consistent with what we heard from students and parents. The consensus seems to be that the staff is qualified and caring, and the principal is no-nonsense.