— from Orcas Island School District —
Don Johnston, our new OASIS K-8 Teacher/Assessment Coordinator, has always enjoyed school. Both parents were teachers and his earliest memories are of one of their classrooms, or the ones he has attended. He enjoys working with kids and the surprises they bring; there is always something to laugh about at the end of the day.
The teacher that had a very strong influence on his life was his Western Michigan U freshman writing teacher, Phil Egan, the first teacher to really engage Don in a free flowing debate, which culminated in the class writing to support their positions. It was Don’s first real Socratic style of class and it brought home the connection of writing as a tool to refine and help guide his thinking.
Watch out! Don really likes practical jokes and considers schools chock full of opportunities for them. Don loves island life and considers Orcas “perfect!” He is used to being an islander from his childhood experience living on Grosse Ile — where the Detroit River empties into Lake Erie. He appreciates the natural beauty and mellow attitude of the people here; especially, how nice people are to one another.
Don has no pets at the moment. His favorite hobbies are sailing, woodworking, old cars, and reading. He loves all kinds of music. Lessons his work life taught him? “We’re all trying to do the right thing…some of us just have more obstacles than others.”
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