Award-winning teacher keeps the classroom fun

To Carmen Johnson, creativity is the key to being a successful teacher.

"You have to be fun and entertaining," said Johnson, a first-grade teacher at Dayspring Academy in Port Richey. "There's so much other competition for kids' attention these days."

Johnson would know. In her third year of teaching at Dayspring Academy, Johnson has won two awards for her innovative teaching practices. The Port Richey resident is the only Pasco recipient of the 2010 Governor's Award for teaching excellence and also shares a 2010 Bright House Star Teacher Award.

"It was shocking to win these awards," said Johnson, who earned her bachelor's in elementary education from the University of South Florida and taught for two years at Grace Christian School before coming to Dayspring Academy. "There are great teachers out there with a lot of great ideas."

Johnson's Budgeting Positive Behavior project earned her a first-place Excellence in Teaching Economics award in the Governor's Award competition. As part of the project, which Johnson uses in her own classroom, students whose behavior is good during the week receive pieces of a custom-made puzzle. At the end of the week, students put their pieces together, spelling out their reward.

"They might get a popsicle party, an extra recess, a movie," Johnson said. "Or they might get their choice as to what they do."

The program made a real difference in her classroom, Johnson said.

"The kids are more focused and stay on task so they can have fun on Friday," she said. "And they're more quiet, which is always nice."

Johnson's approach resonates throughout the school.

"Carmen brings such creative things to the classroom," said Gayle Barr, the principal of Dayspring Academy. "We are pleased to have her here."

Johnson shares her Bright House Star Teacher Award with husband Eric Johnson, a teacher at Hudson High School, and Lynn Turner, Hudson High's media specialist. They were honored for their Hope to Haiti project, where they asked students to donate money, canned food and medical supplies.

"Carmen is always willing to go the extra mile when it comes to teaching," Turner said. "She brings zing and enthusiasm to the job and thinks outside the box."

"We wanted to teach the kids that anyone, no matter how big or small, can make a difference in the world and help people," Johnson said.