Michael Johnson Kentwood Class of 1983 |
Michael is a tenured lecturer at Suzuka International University in Japan. Michael Johnson gives credit to Kent School District for providing him with many options. He says, "I learned many skills in school-both vocational and academic. Since my early grades were lackluster, if I had been raised in some countries I would probably have been an auto mechanic and apprenticed out to a shop at 16 years old. Because of my education in Kent, I had other choices as well." Michael's family moved to KSD in time for his 2nd grade year. He attended Grass Lake Elementary, Sequoia Junior High, and Kent-Meridian and Kentwood high schools. Michael remembers his Kentwood P.E. teacher, Mr. (George) Uchida, "He was honest and direct." He also enjoyed his vocational classes and says of his auto shop teacher, Mr. (John) McCulloch, "I appreciated being taught a skill that could earn a living." Mr. (Gerald) Meyer, who taught metalworking, is another teacher whose classes Michael enjoyed. Michael attended Central Washington University and received a bachelor of arts degree. After graduation, Michael traveled and held different jobs, including working as a guidance specialist for Yakima Public Schools, teaching a class on igloos and snow skills, working as a carpenter, and fixing cars to support himself while traveling. While traveling in Japan, he was hired to teach English at a Japanese school. A year and a half later, Michael opened his own school and later obtained a position on the board of education in Hisai-city, the town in which he currently lives. After three years on the board of education, Suzuka International University hired him as a lecturer. Michael has been at the university for six years, where he teaches English as a foreign language, English used in computer applications, and English used in personal finance. |
