Johnson chosen as Garrison-Pilcher’s Teacher of the Year – Times-Enterprise

THOMASVILLE- Keri Johnson was voted Teacher of the Year for Garrison-Pilcher Elementary School. A dedicated educator, Johnson has served Thomas County Schools for 19 years, teaching in the three-year-old program, kindergarten, and, for the past three years, first grade.

A product of Thomas County Schools herself, Johnson earned both her undergraduate and master’s degrees in Early Childhood Education from Thomas University. She later obtained a specialist degree from Georgia Southwestern State University and, just last year, earned her Tier 1 Leadership certification from TU.

Though she originally considered a career in accounting due to her love of math and the flexibility it offered, Johnson ultimately followed a different calling. She credits the late Dr. Dale Graham for inspiring her to become a teacher.

“Dr. Dale Graham had a lot to do with inspiring me,” Johnson said. “Bless her heart, she taught me as a freshman, senior, then for several classes in my master’s program, and later as a co-worker on math teams and curriculum. Dr. Graham was one of a kind and loved me through all stages of my life.”

Johnson’s teaching philosophy is rooted in love and accountability. “I love my kids first,” she explained. “My classroom expectations sum up what matters in our room. The students know our expectations. If someone makes a mess or a mistake, I’ll say, ‘It’s okay to make a mess, but…’ and my babies will respond, ‘You have to clean it up!’ That applies to more than just a physical mess—it’s about taking responsibility for mistakes, apologizing, and choosing to do better next time.”

Johnson finds immense joy in teaching at Garrison-Pilcher Elementary and appreciates the unique minds of her first graders. “I didn’t want to leave my school family at Hand-In-Hand, but my sister kept telling me I would love teaching first grade. She was right,” she said. “I love the independence but still the sweetness of a first grader. I also love my new school family. And teaching with my big sister is very special—our students even call us both ‘Sis.’”

For Johnson, the most rewarding part of teaching is knowing she is fulfilling her purpose. “Even on hard days, when I leave worried about these little souls and wonder if I’m following God’s will, I know I am where I’m supposed to be,” she said. “I genuinely love my babies and my job. I love teaching, loving, and investing in my students.”

Johnson’s approach to engaging and inspiring her students centers on building confidence. “My students believe in themselves. If you ask them who’s the best in the school, they’ll tell you, ‘It’s us!’” she said. “That’s not about being conceited—it’s about believing in themselves. I tell my babies I don’t hope for big things from them—I expect it.”

She emphasizes the importance of encouragement, especially for those who may not have support at home. “Some kids don’t have someone cheering them on, so if it’s me or no one, you can bet they will know I’ve got them,” she said. “I want them to be confident, work hard, be kind, and pursue a life they can be proud of.”

Reflecting on a special moment in her career, Johnson recalled being chosen as a former student’s favorite teacher. “What made it so special is that I was her three-year-old teacher,” she said. “She brought me a certificate, and I pulled out my envelope from the year I taught her. I keep a class photo and special mementos from each year. Inside, I found a letter from that same student who had written me in sixth grade. In it, she thanked me for teaching her to believe in herself and try her best. That meant so much to me because that’s exactly what I hope to instill in all of my students.”

Making learning fun and relevant is a priority in Johnson’s classroom. “I think learning is fun, especially in first grade,” she said. “I also think students need to know why they’re learning something. Sometimes I have to tell them, ‘This may not be fun, but we need to know it.’ And then I remind them—if we work hard, we play hard.”

For students facing academic or personal struggles, Johnson instills a mindset of perseverance. “We call it climbing that ladder,” she explained. “We all have struggles, and we’re not expected to be perfect, but we must aim to get better every day.”

To build a strong classroom community, Johnson ends each day with a “BEE talk,” where students share their thoughts on a fun topic and recognize a classmate for working hard. “In the beginning, they’re very focused on themselves, which is age-appropriate,” she said. “But once they get it, they say the neatest things about each other. I am always so proud when they notice a classmate climbing their own ladder—it’s truly priceless.”

Collaboration is a key element of Johnson’s teaching approach. “Every day, I believe in teamwork,” she said. “We are only as strong as our weakest link. I want everyone to rise, especially in Thomas County! Every school here is great, and I say that with pride.”

Looking to the future, Johnson hopes to continue teaching for many years but is open to leadership opportunities down the road. “I did get my Tier 1 Leadership certification, so one day, I may step into a leadership role,” she said. “But not anytime soon—I really love the classroom. If the perfect opportunity arises and the Lord leads me (or pushes me out of the classroom), I may have the chance to do something beyond teaching. But for now, I am exactly where I want to be.”

Principal Robin Binion expressed her appreciation for Johnson’s dedication and the positive influence she has on her students.

“We are blessed to have Mrs. Johnson at Garrison-Pilcher,” Binion said. “She loves what she does, and it shows every day. Her students love her!”