Former Mitchell teacher Sharon Johnson inducted into Honored Women Educators of South Dakota

Jul. 6—WAUBAY, S.D. — As the only sixth-grader in a Willow Lake, South Dakota, country school, Sharon Johnson got her start in the teaching profession earlier than most career teachers.

"I went to country school, and I was the only sixth-grader," Johnson told the Mitchell Republic in a recent interview. "The teacher would put instructions on the chalkboard and say Sharon, you do this assignment, and then give the first grade their flashcards. And that's how it went."

It was her first taste of teaching in the classroom, but it wouldn't be the last. That entry point led her to a 50-year career in teaching that took her to classrooms in Mitchell, DeSmet, Waubay, Webster and an Air Force base in Alaska, as well as stops at regional colleges, where she both studied as a student and taught art.

Johnson was inducted into the Honored Women Educators of South Dakota in June. The organization honors women who have been outstanding in the field of education and have given distinctive service. Educators are invited to join through a nomination process of current members.

"It was (a surprise), Johnson said. "I was really, really pleased."

In addition to a spark for teaching, her country school days were also when she discovered a love of art. Growing up well before cell phones and streaming services, she entertained herself by carrying around a sketchbook and a pack of crayons, ready to create a new drawing.

"When you go to country school and live in the country, there's not a lot to do. I always had crayons and a sketch pad, and I would carry that around. That was fun for me," Johnson said.

She began teaching right out of high school before getting her bachelor's degree at Northern State University in 1970. She graduated college at age 20 and signed her first official teaching contract that same year. She attended high school and college in the 1960s, and while art and teaching were two of her loves, she was somewhat concerned that she might not be able to pursue her passion as a career.

"It was the sixties when I went to Northern, and I thought who would allow their students to take art in the sixties?" Johnson said.

The 1960s was an era known for social upheaval and drug use. But Johnson said she was one of the "odd ones" who avoided the dangers and controversies of the time and instead focused on instilling a love of creativity in her students. She taught at schools throughout the region, starting with DeSmet before moving on to a stint at Elmendorf Air Force Base in Alaska, where her husband was stationed during the Vietnam War.

They eventually moved to Mitchell, where Johnson earned her masters degree from Dakota Wesleyan University, where she also taught education classes, in 1991 and taught art at Mitchell High School from 1989 to 2016, when she retired. She has also taught at Northern State University and served with a number of professional trade organizations, including the Mitchell Education Association, South Dakota Education Association, National Education Association, South Dakota Arts Association and the National Arts Association.

Though retired, she recently took up teaching again on a part-time basis in Webster and Waubay.

"During the pandemic, Webster lost their art teacher, and the superintendent wanted to know if I would consider it," Johnson said.

She did consider it, and after a bit of negotiating an arrangement that saw her split time with another part-time teacher, she took up her old position at the head of the classroom, passing her love of art to her students. She focuses on the fundamentals of art, likening the approach to the method of building a house.

"I like to instill creativity and stimulate their individuality. I give them direction. It's kind of like building a house, you have to have stepping stones and fundamentals," Johnson said. "I like drawing and painting and I love pottery. Really I love all the arts. One thing kind of leads to another, and kids like to be creative, they like to work with their hands."

The emphasis on individuality and fundamentals can be applied to many walks of life, Johnson said. Just being able to walk into a museum and understand some of the principles and elements of design behind the work on display can be an enriching experience that not everyone has studied.

Even a simple element such as color has a much deeper impact on art and its perception than may be obvious at first glance.

"I always tell them, especially when I do the unit on color — color influences a room and what you wear and so many other different things. (It's rewarding) just to make them aware of their world and to appreciate the art that is in this world," Johnson said.

Over the years, her students' work also extended beyond the classroom. While teaching in Mitchell, her advanced painting class would do projects for Avera Queen of Peace and Wild Oaks Golf Course. She and her students never charged for the work, but the beneficiaries of the art would often make a donation to the class to help with supply costs.

"(The students) loved to display their work, and it was so good for them to have that experience," Johnson said.

Johnson has fond memories of her students, fellow teachers and classmates. She still runs into former students on occasion, and she attended the 55th reunion of her high school class just last weekend. She still holds strong connections to Northern State University as well as all the other schools she has taught or studied at.

Though her husband passed away several years back, Johnson, 73, remains active. She enjoys golfing and she travels to see her children in Brandon and Florida. And she continues to cherish her half-century of influencing generations of budding artists, whether they take her lessons and become professional artists or simply well-rounded citizens who can take in a sculpture with a discerning eye.

She is enjoying her semi-retirement, but for the time being she can't see herself anywhere other than spending at least part of her days nurturing the artistic side of students.

"I totally enjoy what I'm doing. I totally enjoy it. It gets me up and gets me going, and I love the kids and sharing what I have," Johnson said. "It's fun for me to see them improving and being interested in learning."