Spend a couple of minutes with Mr. Luke Johnson and it’s clear he is on to something. A popular 3rd grade teacher at Lakeview Elementary, he can’t walk through the school without one of the children calling out to him or just going straight in for a hug. He greets students with gentleness and a chill, loving vibe. My daughter is one of his students this year, and she describes him as “classic.” It’s a great descriptor – he handwrites the kids’ worksheets and includes their names in the math story problems. He wrote them poems on Valentine’s Day. His classroom is lined with the “Great Illustrated Classics,” exposing the kids to a literary world beyond Dog Man. His license plate proclaims “LEARN.” At the kids’ art fair last fall, he was there with Mrs. Johnson and their friends, dressed as if they were going to The Met. The kids know that they matter to Mr. Johnson.
Luke grew up in a small town in Wisconsin with his mother, brother, and two sisters – his father died in a sudden accident when Luke was just 3 years old. Life must have been sad and hard from that moment, but his mom showed great resilience and took hold of family matters. Luke had an influential 5th grade teacher, Mr. Byrns, who showed kindness and connection and sparked an interest in teaching. After a visit to the World’s Fair here in 1962, Luke thought Seattle seemed like a marvelous place to be. He attended PLU and has been here ever since.
This year will be his last year of teaching, wrapping up a 46 year career as an educator. He has walked to and from school each day (carrying his grandfather’s metal lunch box) dedicating his life to teaching the children of Kirkland, Juanita and Redmond. As someone who has encountered Mr. Johnson several times and always left feeling a little brighter, I wanted to see if he had any thoughts he could share with the people of Kirkland on the occasion of his retirement.
He says, “A lot of young people want to change the world – like that song [by 70s British rockers Ten Years After] ‘I’d Love to Change the World, But I Don’t Know What To Do.’ I know how! Teach!” His face animates knowing that he has found an answer. “Technology has its place, but human connection and learning will always be needed.”
He advises parents to listen to their kids, to stay positive and avoid the trap of comparison. Honor your child’s individuality. Reinforce effort and celebrate successes.
He has learned many things from his students. “The joy of learning and discovery is a wonderful thing at any age. I’ve also learned the future of this country is in good hands. These young people are bright, industrious, and eager to make the world a better place.”
Mr. Johnson doesn’t think the kids may always remember exactly what he taught them, but he hopes they will remember how he made them feel. What a wonderful impression he has made on the children of our city. Us adults too.
Think of Luke on the first day of school next year – he will be sitting at a café with Mrs. Johnson in Paris, kicking off retirement.