Hi! My name is Megan Johnson. I'm a special education teacher at Clarendon Ave. Elementary in Mukwonago. I grew up in Big Bend (my folks still live in Vernon) and attended Big Bend, Parkview, and MHS. I attended UW-Oshkosh for my undergrad and Cardinal Stritch for my graduate studies. I come from a family of educators: my grandfather was a principal, both of my parents are retired teachers, and my brother teaches in Greendale. It's in my blood.
I live in Mukwonago with my husband Derick, my 16 year-old son Cooper and my 15 year-old son Tate. Cooper loves running and student government at MHS. Tate loves animals, pizza and books. He has autism, so that is a big part of how our family operates. My home is run by a toothless Shih-tzu named Toby. We also share our yard with the world's oldest chicken.
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
I got my first job as a special education teacher in Kettle Moraine, and then spent some amazing years in Wauwatosa. I was lucky enough to get hired at Clarendon, which was like a second-home to me because my mom spent years teaching second grade here. It's easy to say what I love the most about my job – the kids! I have the smartest, kindest, funniest students in the world!
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
I don't get to go out to eat very often, but I'll say what everyone says – Fork and David Allen Allen's. Tate also loves McDonald's french fries, so shout out to the Big Bend drive-thru! They see us A LOT.
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
I grew up here, moved away for college, and here I am.
Q: Who is the most interesting person you've met here in our community?
The person I want to meet the most is the elderly gentleman who walks up and down Veteran's Way waving at cars. He's my hero! What a lovely way to brighten everyone's day. I want to know his story. PLUS – if you honk or wave back, he waves at you with BOTH hands! It's great!
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
Traveling is very challenging for my family, but if I could magically appear with them on the beach of Australia, it would make Tate SO happy! Just thinking about the plane ride gives me hives, though.
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
I'm not really a movie girl, but I LOVE Schitt's Creek, American Horror Story and I'm just starting Mad Men.
Q: What advice would you give to people?
I don't think I have the right to give anyone advice, because I'm just slogging through it like everyone else. However, being the parent of a child with special needs has taught me the importance of "presuming competence." You treat every child as if they have the ability to learn, think and understand (no matter whether you think you see "evidence" or proof). I read that presuming competence is essentially the Hippocratic Oath for Educators. I love that.
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
I've always wanted to play the drums. I play the drums in my staff band, and I think I'm pretty great. The music teachers may disagree…..
Q: What is your go to band when you can't decide what to listen to?
Beastie Boys, The Cure, Cake, John Denver, Prince, Dolly Parton, The Talking Heads
Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
That's an easy one. When I was really young, my amazing babysitter Margaret worked at The Blue Heron in Big Bend. She'd take me there before opening sometimes, and she'd sit me in the huge booths in that dark place and let me have unlimited sodas while listening to the jukebox. I swear I felt like I was in mini Mad-Men. I felt SO grown-up! When I drive by that place I can smell the food, taste the soda and picture Margaret cleaning behind the bar while I guzzled Coke.
Q: If you could choose anyone that is alive today and not a relative; with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would y'all meet for this lunch?
Temple Grandin, my other hero. She's a woman with autism who has overcome insurmountable obstacles to become a leading expert on humane cattle-processing facilities. She helps me peek into the mind of a person with autism and I respect her so very much – not only because of her work with autism and animals, but because she shattered the glass ceiling in the world of animal behaviorists as well. She's a BOSS. She also has major food aversions like Tate, so I'd let her pick where we ate.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
My favorite thing about my community is the school system. I've taught in three very different districts. I can say that Mukwonago has an extremely personal feel. I applaud Mr. McNulty for spearheading the MHS remodel, and the addition of the PAC and value in the trades has been a godsend for so many kids. Not every kid is going to be a star football player. I love that the community is seeing that there is so much more than sports and offering so many more choices than I had.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
In room 62 at Clarendon.
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don't know about you?
I love watching ghost shows on t.v. and I am 100% convinced Clarendon is haunted.
Q: What is the most beautiful place you have ever been?
Our little cottage in Sister Bay.
Q: Favorite month? favorite holiday? and best single day on the calendar?
The best day of the year is August 8th. Tate and I share a birthday, and we both detest celebrations in our honor, so we wake up, wish each other a happy birthday, high-five and move on. It's great.
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
David's sweaters on Schitt's Creek.
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
Kids with special needs. I love people with grit. Ain't nobody grittier than a kid who has to work harder than everyone else. I'm also inspired by their parents and siblings. I don't think people realize how it affects the entire family. In my experience, you'll never meet more fiercely loving people than those who love a child with a disability.
Q: What is one or two of your favorite smells?
I love the musty smell of our cottage after we open it in spring.
Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Derick, Cooper and Tate.
