Linda Johnson is a teacher in the Eau Claire Public School System and member of the Eau Claire Association of Educators.  She teaches two classes of music at Memorial High School, two classes at North High School, and one class period each day at Delong Middle School. Linda is inspiring 60 students among the three schools for the 2010-2011 school year. I consider Linda a friend as well as a colleague who has not only inspired her classroom children, but has inspired teachers throughout our district as well as anyone who has heard about her Special Angels.

 

Linda came to my school, South Middle School (grades 6-8), which feeds into Memorial High School (grades 9-12), a couple of years ago to put on her program in May for our eighth graders. When her physically and mentally challenged students took over the stage and put on a musical performance, there were very few dry eyes in the audience when the show ended. The eighth graders gave Linda and her students a standing ovation. Some of the eighth graders wanted to know how they could get involved with the kids when they moved onto Memorial High School in fall. She welcomed them to come into her classroom anytime to help out with her Special Angels who bring so much joy, confidence, and compassion to all as Linda does to them with her passionate teaching. She gives the kids whom she teaches the confidence to go before an audience, to give it all you have during the performance, to love what you are doing in the musical, and to feel the music within you and bring that joy out in such an emotional way.

 

To make ends meet, Linda has gone to garage sales to find props, musical instruments, decorations, etc. to use in her classroom and in the performances. Her husband and her daughter have also contributed to the musical when needed to build something or to assist in the program with singing, costumes, choreography, etc. One year her German exchange student became involved with the students by helping with the choreography and filming. Linda fills the auditorium when she puts on a performance. Not only do parents and students attend the performances, but they continue to support them over and over through filming and spreading the word of the talent Linda is able to bring out in the kids. She continues to pick up the monetary tab when school budgets cut into her programming because she wants the kids to have the best experiences possible. When her students’ parents can help, they also contribute in any way they can.

 

After the article had appeared in the local newspaper, Linda was contacted by other schools who wanted to view the performance and possibly start a program similar to hers in their schools. She was also contacted by a professional magazine for an interview. Linda and her students were the opening ceremony to the Special Olympics in Eau Claire in 2009. Linda truly inspires her students and her audiences as well as colleagues in many Wisconsin districts.

Sincerely,
Shirley Ruesch