In this fourth-grade classroom, relationships mean everything

Each month, the community nominates their favorite teachers and educators from the St. Louis region to be the St. Louis Post-Dispatch Teacher of the Month. May’s winner is Ms. Joy Johnson, a fourth-grade teacher at Lexington Elementary School in St. Louis Public School District. Ms. Johnson received a $250 gift card courtesy of Elco Chevrolet Cadillac.

Describe your teaching journey.

I come from a background of educators including my mom, grandma, dad, aunts and uncles. I believe I got my start at home with my brothers when I was teaching them. As I helped them learn, it showed me that education might be something I really wanted to do. I officially got my start running the seven and eight-year-old Sunday School class at Friendly Temple Church when I was 11.  I was a student teacher at a few schools before becoming an Instructional Care Aide then substitute teacher at Lexington Elementary School. Eventually, I interviewed and was hired for my own classroom.

What do you enjoy most about teaching?

My favorite part of my classroom is spreading my knowledge to scholars to help them broaden their horizons. For example, I like to introduce different artists and music from the past that they might not know. My favorite part about my students is being able to build relationships with them so they know they have someone they can count on. Whether it's sharing fun facts about me including my best friends’ names or my siblings' accomplishments, they feel like they know me on a more personal level which allows them to feel more comfortable in the classroom.

In my current year, I particularly like teaching fourth graders paragraph writing skills. I love watching them come up with their own main ideas and details. From the anchor charts to desk reminders, it brings me joy seeing them able to create their own works.

Describe the goals you have for your students.

My goal for my students is for them to walk away better than when they arrived. I hope they take away that any growth is growth and celebrate it. A win is a win in my book.

I try to achieve this by building positive relationships and making sure everyone feels heard and seen. I also try to model what my dad taught me growing up, which is respect. We try to find ways to always be respectful. All scholars deserve to have someone they can talk to, and I try my hardest for that to be me.

Do your personal hobbies relate to your teaching?

I love to go to concerts, travel and try new things. I believe that my hobbies correlate with my teaching because I share what I have learned from traveling and celebrate the art of music daily.  

For instance, I hosted two dance shows in the past two school years where I choreographed the entire show and taught over 70 kids. I have also had the pleasure of hosting two school-wide dances in my first few years of teaching that honored students with good behavior.

How do you feel about being honored as Teacher of the Month?

I am honestly at a loss for words. I was not expecting this at all. I learned about this during Teacher Appreciation Week, and it just fills my heart to be seen! I am gagged for real! I know my village is always there to support me and want to personally thank all of them. Without them, I would’ve never made it this far.

Read about all of the 2025-26 Teacher of the Month honorees at STLtoday.com/teachers.

Content produced by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch Marketing Department. Responses may have been edited for length or clarity. The news and editorial departments of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch had no role in its creation or display. For more information, contact marketing@post-dispatch.com.