By: Aashna Parameshwar ’20, Claire Ellis ’20, Tyler Barron ’20, and Asha Varma ’20, Staff Writers

Whether you have to call home, or borrow the stapler from the middle school office, Mrs. Johnson will always be there for you. Everyone knows and loves her. But have you ever wondered how she holds the middle school together? Well, we decided to dig deep by learning all about her experiences at Newark Academy–with the help of Mr. Ashburn of course!

 

Q: How long have you been working at Newark Academy?

Mrs. J: I have just completed 18 years here at NA.

 

Q: What is your favorite part of your job?

Mr. Ashburn (butting in): Working with Mr. Ashburn, of course!

 

Q: What is the overview of your job?

Mrs. J: To put all the “band-aids” on the middle school.

 

Q: What annoys you the most about the middle school office?

Mrs. J: When there is lack of communication within the community.

 

Q: What is the most commonly asked question students will ask you on a daily basis?

Mrs. J: “Where is Mr. Ashburn?”

 

Q: What is the most significant change in NA life since your first year here?

Mrs. J: Everybody seems younger!

 

Q: Is it hard to learn every child in the middle school’s name?

Mrs. J: Absolutely– I still get some names confused! Some names are so similar.

 

Q: Do you find yourself stressed out a lot? And if so, how do you fight that stress?

Mrs. J: Yes. By leaving my desk and walking and talking with someone.

 

Q: What was the weirdest thing that’s ever happened in the middle school?

Mr. Ashburn (again with the butting in!): Watching kids climb in and out of the windows while teachers were right there. But that was before Mr. Ashburn.

Q: What made you decide to have your email text in pink?

Mrs. J: I like the color; I would like fuchsia, but it’s hard to see.  

 

Q: What’s your favorite middle school event you look forward to?

Mrs. J: The end of the year, just kidding! Actually spirit week and Homecoming Day are a lot of fun!

 

Q: Is it fun sitting around all your teacher friends everyday, or do you like it when they all have class instead?

Mrs. J: Both: depends my workload of the day.

 

Q: Many people don’t have the “advantage” of working with their spouse; how is that? What was it like working before NA away from Mr. Johnson?

Mrs. J: Actually I met him here… it’s nice because we have conversations about the kids and understand what’s going on at the middle school level. I can discuss work with him because we understand each other’s jobs–except for the math part of course!

 

Q: What is the most embarrassing thing that you have experienced while working at Newark Academy?

Mrs. J:  Walking in on a man in the bathroom!

Q: Do you and Mr. Johnson go on the immersion trips or the middle school trips during spring break together? What is your favorite trip that you have been on with NA?

Mrs. J: We will this year; for the first time we are going together to Costa Rica. My favorite trip was Costa Rica years ago when I chaperoned the trip.

 

Q: You must have a lot on your plate because you plan everything for the middle school, so how are you still able to manage your time wisely?

Mrs. J:  Ha! When I can figure that one out I’ll let you know.