Margaret Johnson

Pre-K Teacher

STM prioritizes the development of the whole child—intellectually, socially, and spiritually. We value nurturing well-rounded individuals; this holistic approach is especially rewarding. Catholic education places a strong emphasis on teaching values like respect, forgiveness, and justice. As a teacher, I appreciate the opportunity to instill these virtues in students, helping them to become thoughtful, empathetic individuals. I also grew up in Catholic Education and only attended Catholic schools. It is a beautiful environment. I have friends I still see and text with from preschool.

I love teaching phonemic awareness because it is a crucial skill for early literacy development. When I'm teaching phonemic awareness, I know I'm helping children understand the building blocks of language. This sense of contributing to a child's foundational growth is incredibly rewarding. Phonemic awareness activities—like rhyming games, sound isolation, and letter-sound matching—offer endless possibilities to make learning fun and dynamic. I enjoy the challenge of keeping the activities playful and engaging.

I love it when a student experiences that moment of realization; it boosts their confidence and self-esteem. I'm not just teaching facts—I'm helping them believe in their own abilities. It’s like planting the seeds for their future success. There’s something magical about watching a student make a connection they haven’t seen before. It’s an incredibly gratifying moment as a teacher because it showcases the beauty of learning itself—how new knowledge can open up doors and possibilities for them.