On October 29, 2018, Ms. Angie Johnson (Faculty) started as the new swim instructor at James Buchanan High School. Prior to her new job as a swim instructor, Johnson had been an aquatics director at the Chambersburg YMCA for 12 years.
Growing up in Hawaii, Johnson has been around water her whole life. As a child, her mother and father would always take her to pools and water parks. Kings Dominion was Johnson’s first water park. She feels most comfortable in the water or on the pool deck.
“Basically water is my life,” said Johnson.
Wanting to put her love for water to good use, Johnson became the Aquatics Director at the YMCA. Her job entailed teaching swim lessons to all ages, teaching and making sure kids know water safety, and also managing the lifeguards that were on duty to make sure everyone maintains safety. As soon as Johnson started teaching Aquatics, she instantly knew her life came to a full circle.
“Water safety is very important and everyone needs to be aware of how dangerous water can be,” said Johnson. “But it can be so much fun too.”
Johnson has been smoothly transitioning into her new position as the new swim instructor. Students all seem to agree that Ms. Johnson is an excellent teacher.
“She is very helpful as a teacher and always explains what to do, sometimes even through example,” said Makinna Peck (9).
Peck and Nagy really appreciate the fact that Johnson will go the extra mile by getting into the pool with them and taking the time to explain how to do different skills.
“I think Ms. Johnson is doing a good job of keeping us on task and keeping us busy,” said Abigail Nagy (9).
The students especially enjoy how Johnson changes up the class every day. For example, on Mondays and Wednesdays, they do water fitness. Tuesdays and Thursdays, they do water aerobics, and Friday is a free day.
“Aquatics is different this year because there aren’t as many students, sand Samuel Ocasio (11). “So it’s fun because we
get to change it up every day.”
Johnson is excited to give high school students an opportunity to do a different type of physical education that is water-based. She is also looking forward to giving the high school students an opportunity to teach the elementary children as she did in high school.
“I am just really excited to be here, and it’s going to be an amazing experience, I just know it,” said Johnson. “Everybody so far has been so welcoming and friendly.”
