Submitted Photo Frank Layden Elementary music teacher Amanda Johnson sings an action song with her students. Johnson was the recipient of the Clyde U. Phillips Outstanding Young Educator award on May 1. [Click to enlarge]

A Fort Scott teacher has been honored for adding to the lives of the students under her tutelage.

On May 1, at Pittsburg State University, Amanda Johnson was awarded the Clyde U. Phillips award for Outstanding Young Educator. Johnson, who has taught music at Frank Layden Elementary School since 2001, has greatly enhanced her students appreciation of music, according to Frank Layden Elementary Principal Mark Allai.

"Amanda Johnson taught the children at Frank Layden to love music again," Allai said. "She puts so much of herself into her teaching that the children and their parents know she believes in everything she does."

Frontenac school district superintendent Destry Brown said Johnson goes to great lengths to make learning fun for her students. In addition, her teaching style is a direct indication of how much she cares about her students.

"Amanda does an excellent job of teaching our elementary music," Brown said. "She makes learning about music fun. She goes the extra mile to help kids have success. She cares about each child in her class which is evident in the way that she relates to the kids. She is just an outstanding teacher."

Brown is not the only one who has noticed Johnson's caring attitude toward her students. Allai said Johnson always has her students' best interest at heart.

"Amanda always does the best things for kids and has their best interest at heart. She teaches to the whole child incorporating not just music, but movement and appreciation of it. She is warm, caring, and adapts her curriculum to meet the needs of each individual child. Amanda is one of the rare WOW teachers that we, in Frontenac, were lucky enough to find," Allai said.

Teaching music for the last seven years has been a rewarding experience for Johnson.

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"My position as a music teacher at Frank Layden Elementary is enjoyable and rewarding," Johnson said. "Well into my seventh year, I feel that my students are learning to enjoy music as well as respect fine arts. Through music, they are expressing themselves creatively and communicating and cooperating with others. These skills will benefit them throughout life. They enjoy sharing their music with family and friends in the programs that we do twice during the year. Each program involves a different age group and theme ranging from holiday music to environmental concepts and social issues."

Johnson added that she is honored to have been chosen to receive the award.

"In a profession where I am surrounded by great teachers who are making a difference in the lives of their students every day, I feel honored to have been selected as the Clyde U. Phillips Outstanding Young Educator," Johnson said.

According to Johnson, she comes from a family who is rooted in education.

"I was born and raised in a family dedicated to education," Johnson said. "My father began his career as a teacher and has now been an administrator for twenty-four years. I have two brothers who have committed to a career in teaching and administration. My husband has also chosen to major in elementary education. My decision to become a teacher was a natural choice. Not only was I comfortable with the lifestyle of an educator, I also felt that I had the strengths and abilities to reach and motivate children to learn."

Johnson graduated from Pittsburg State University in December 2000 with a BSED in Elementary Education. Currently, she is an active member of the Kansas Music Educators Association. In 2006, she became co-director of the Keyhole youth center in Fort Scott and retains this position today. In addition, she is a member of the Youth Activities Team in Fort Scott.