Ryan Johnson – 7th-8th Science at Acero: Jovita Idár Elementary School – Chicago, IL
My name is Ryan, and I am the 7th and 8th grade Science teacher at Acero Jovita Idár Elementary School in the Gage Park neighborhood on the southwest side of Chicago, and have been there since 2013. My primary areas of interest lie in constructing and facilitating agency and capacity for English Language Learners to improve outcomes in STEM through community integration, hands-on inquiry-based learning, collaborative learning environments, storytelling, science identities, writing in STEM, finding joy in rigor, and making science education accessible and equitable for all. I am also a student at Loyola University Chicago pursuing my doctorate in curriculum, culture, and communities to help me further these interests and goals.
I grew up in Chicagoland, did undergraduate and graduate work in the Midwest, taught English and science in Thailand for two years, and now live on the far south side of the city with my wife, two dogs, cat, geckos, frog, snake, and a variety of other scaled and slippery creatures. When not in the classroom, I enjoy traveling, running, biking, swimming, gardening, kayaking, cooking, fixing up our old house (this is really that Type 2 fun), and quixotically masquerading with friends and family like we’re younger than our HR files indicate.