Position: PE and Weight Training Teacher
School: Carmel High School
School District: Carmel Unified School District
City, State: Carmel, CA
Music that Describes Craig
Craig Johnston was nominated by his colleague, Leigh Cambra.
Students and staff love Mr. Johnston, who is also known as Coach J. Coach J is a physical education teacher, weight training instructor, and former football coach at Carmel High School. He makes his students and staff proud to be Padres! Here's what some of his colleagues have to say:
"Yesterday afternoon during lunch, I had my door open and I heard that familiar sound coming from the pool.....'Take a break, get your breath, you got this. Now swim to the end and back. You're ready for the Olympics! Take a break, get your breath......"
"I don't know if Craig has ever been voted Mentor of the Year by students, because when those votes are gathered, students tend to think of typical classroom environments when making those decisions. My son voted for Craig for this title during each of his last three years at CHS because of his influence on him during Weight Training sophomore year. Each time the votes were encouraged, he would tell me he was voting for Coach J again."
"You don't know how many of our graduating seniors have been saved by his loving patience in teaching them how to swim. This is why learning to swim is required for students to graduate because it teaches them to not be afraid of the water. Most of all, it teaches them they can do it. Not many people know the value in the swimming requirement to graduate."
"His class literally transforms kids. I have long considered his weight training class to be one of the most important classes on campus for building self-esteem, building confidence, and building character."
"Our kids absolutely adore Coach J, and he is their central motivating force. Many of our kids who struggle with self-esteem have flourished in his class, and these experiences will impact them throughout their lives."
"Coach J is not only inspiring, he is kind and respectful to all students and staff! Teachers like him make me Proud to be a Padre!"