Welcome to the #DragonFamily Jim Johnson

Meet MSUM’s new assistant professor, Jim Johnson. He works in the Department of Leadership & Learning to help prepare students who are pursuing careers in educational leadership.

Q: What drew you to MSUM?

A: I like the online approach this particular program uses. We need more quality leaders in education so it’s important to get them there. We need to make education for them accessible, so the online delivery model works very well, and I am glad to be a part of that. I enjoy this delivery method as it still allows me to build good relationships with people even without physically being in the same space.

Q: What is your favorite thing about MSUM so far?

A: How welcome I feel. Everyone has taken good care of me.  People are proactive and positive in terms of communication. Everyone checks in to make sure I have everything I need. I appreciate all the support I have received.

Q: How do you prefer to start your workday?

A: I am a concrete sequential person, so I start my day by organizing what it is going to look like. Usually, I check my email and see if there is anything my students need. I’m here to serve them so I take care of that then I plan the rest of my day.

Q: What energizes you at work?

A: I always have music on in the background. The kind I play depends on what I’m doing. If I’m doing something I need to concentrate on, I usually play something instrumental. If I need some energy, I typically play something more upbeat to pep myself up. Music is my way of helping myself get in the zone.

Q: What is the most interesting thing you are working on right now?

A: I spent over 30 years of my career working in public schools. Something I noticed during my time there is that we need more leaders. I’m not necessarily talking about leaders as in principals and superintendents. Instead, I’m working on developing teacher leaders. Some teachers want to be leaders but stay in the classroom, so I am looking at how we can do that.

Welcome to the #DragonFamily Jim!