Donna Ayscue Johnson is from Winston-Salem, NC. She graduated with honors from the University of North Carolina degree with a Bachelor of Science in Child Development and Family Relations and Elementary Education. She earned a Master of Science degree from Nova University in Administration and Supervision with a 4.0 gpa. She holds teaching certificates in Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, and Administration and Supervision (K-12). She has completed other college programs from Wake Forest University, University of Wyoming, University of South Florida, and St. Petersburg College.

Mrs. Johnson taught at Center Academy, a private school for children with learning disabilities in Pinellas Park; Azalea Middle School in St. Petersburg, and various Pinellas County Schools’ summer school sites. In addition, she has held positions as a k-12, college, and adult tutor; resource teacher; teacher trainer; and temporary administrator. Presently, Mrs. Johnson teaches sixth grade Social Studies at Osceola Middle School.

Mrs. Johnson, along with Mrs. Bee Everett, are sponsors of UnClub. The UnClub is a student-led prayer club that was formed in 1993 by a former student with Mrs. Johnson’s husband as the sponsor. Please see our UnClub section under Clubs for more information.

Mrs. Johnson loves teaching middle school students and cannot imagine doing anything else. Although she has held several leadership roles, she especially has a heart for teaching sixth grade social studies. She incorporates technology into most of her lessons as a vehicle to which the vast majority of students seem to enjoy using, concentrate better and stay on task, have better attendance, and work together well. Test scores and report card grades indicate this mode has been successful in many ways. Best of all, Mrs. Johnson’s classroom is a positive atmosphere where she and her students look forward to experiencing each and every school day! Students often report that her class is one of the highlights of their day. Throughout her career, Mrs. Johnson has worked to make a difference in the lives of her students. To her, hope means more than students learning all the essential learnings for social studies content; it means working to ensure that each student has the skills, resources, and opportunities to fulfill his or her dreams.

Mrs Johnson has been a Semi-Finalist Pinellas County Teacher of the Year twice, a Pinellas County Teacher of the Year Finalist, and a Pinellas County Middle School Social Studies Teacher of the Year. She has received various middle school Teacher of the Year awards, multiple Pinellas County Teacher of the Year Nominations, Pinellas Foundation Grants, a Best Buy Grant, a Mt. Vernon Historical Society Award, "Picturing America" National Endowment for the Humanities Grant; and several PTSA recognitions. She has had perfect attendance every year she has been employed by PCS, with only two exceptions.

Mrs. Johnson reports one of the highlights of her career was when Azalea Middle School applied for and won the highest educational honor: Blue Ribbon School of Excellence Award. As the head of the writing committee, she attended the Washington, D.C. ceremonies at the White House with former presidents George Bush, Sr. presiding and as then governor Bill Clinton master of ceremonies for the formal awards dinner, her principal John Leanes and his wife, and PCS superintendent, Dr. Scott Rose. Another special milestone was when Osceola Middle designed and instituted a Traditional Program, a school with-in a school, based on the fundamental school concepts whereby high achieving students applied and were accepted. This program was very well accepted by families and was a great “attractor” during the “school of choice” years. Perhaps the most challenging program, but the most rewarding in Mrs. Johnson’s career, was PCS’s selection of Osceola for the middle school 1-1 Laptop Project. This project involved each of our staff members working together in an integral and multi-leveled manner to achieve the lofty goals we set out to accomplish. Visitors from all over the world have come to see first-hand how to run a successful laptop program! Mrs. Johnson feels very blessed to be associated with so many talented and amazing individuals. When people, such as those at OMS and with PCS officials, are able to work together to achieve seemingly impossible tasks, it truly brings out the best in everyone and the awesome on-going results are worth all the time and efforts.

Mrs. Johnson is married to a retired former math teacher. They enjoy spending time with their family and friends, taking care of Mr. Johnson’s elderly parents and world’s smartest West Highland terrier, being actively involved in a local church, and traveling all over the world. Mrs. Johnson enjoys reading, learning about and working with computers, and digital photography.

See Mrs. Johnson's website here.

More information about UnClub can be found here and here.

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to email Ms. Johnson.