Greg Johnson likes to help kids learn, no matter what difficulty stands in the way.
A Lockport native, Johnson is the new program coordinator at Buffalo Public School 17, Early Childhood Center. In the position, Johnson will be focusing on improving instructional programs and student achievement.
Johnson said there were two reasons he got into teaching and special education. First, it’s a passion he’s had for some time.
“It was something I always wanted to do,” Johnson said.
But the second reason was that Johnson, himself, had some difficulty learning as a student. Johnson had been diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, a neurobehavioral developmental disorder. ADHD can cause people to constantly be inattentive or “hyper.”
“I was terrible, behaviorally,” Johnson said. “When I graduated, my file was probably the size of a phone book.”
During his time in school, Johnson had a few teachers who didn’t understand how ADHD was affecting his ability to learn. So when he graduated from Starpoint High School in 1999, Johnson decided he wanted to teach and help those students with similar difficulties.
“I decided that it would be easier to make a difference teaching kids like me,” Johnson said.
At about the same time he was entering college, Johnson had an aunt who was also going back to school. She, along with Johnson’s family, was supportive as he graduated from Niagara County Community College in 2001. But his education wasn’t finished yet.
Johnson enrolled at Buffalo State College, earning a bachelor’s degree in 2003 and a master’s degree in special education in 2005. He came to P.S. 17 in Buffalo, but as he was teaching, Johnson decided to go back to school. In December 2007, he completed a master’s degree in administration at Buff State.
Johnson kept teaching until this past school year, when he attended Buffalo’s Aspiring Leaders Academy, a training program for new principals or assistant principals. Johnson is also working on his doctorate in administration online at Walden University.
Johnson can also help teachers, as he serves on the Buffalo Teachers Center Policy Board. The board promotes teacher development in the city. He is also chairman of NCCC’s Tour de Cure, something he has been involved in for some time.
While at P.S. 17, Johnson has taught special education in second, third and fourth grades. Although his new position isn’t in the classroom, it brings him satisfaction.
“I like this even better because I can help even more kids,” Johnson said. “I can help the whole building, really.”
Contact reporter Joe Olenick at 439-9222, ext. 6241.
Saturday People Profile
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JOE OLENICK/STAFF
August 1, 2009
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