Though she acknowledges that working at Roosevelt S.T.A.Y. is unlike working in a traditional school, Deyon M. Johnson insists, “students will be students regardless of age.” She truly appreciates her adult students’ thirst for knowledge. “I like to push the boundaries of my students,” Ms. Johnson explains. “If they are not huffing and puffing, the work is not vigorous enough.”

Ms. Johnson loves the reward that comes from “got it” moments, “when a student really understands something or is truly proud of the work they didn’t think they could do.” She calls her coworkers “supportive, creative, humorous, and intelligent,” and appreciates her principal’s trust and involvement in their work to ensure that students are happy and successful. Principal Sean B. Yisrael says, “Ms. Johnson is admired by her colleagues and adored by her students. She not only understands her content, but she is able to teach it in a way that students can understand.” Ms. Johnson currently serves as lead teacher for Roosevelt S.T.A.Y., and has been awarded Rookie Teacher of the Year, Most Inspirational Teacher, and Teacher of the Year over the past three years.