Charter Day School science teacher wins prestigious statewide award

BRUNSWICK COUNTY, NC (WWAY) – A Brunswick County science teacher has received a prestigious award from the North Carolina Science Teacher’s Association.

Charter Day School’s David Johnson won the Distinguished Service Award in Middle School Science. He received the award Thursday night at a banquet in Greensboro. The NCSTA says it selects one recipient each year for the elementary, middle and high categories.

For the past 5 years, Johnson has taught 7th grade science at Charter Day School in Leland. He is also the director of the school’s Science Olympiad team, which competes statewide through the NC Science Olympiad program. He was also Charter Day School’s Teacher of the Year for 2015-2016

Johnson was also WWAY’s Teacher of the Week in February of 2014. A former student nominated Mr. Johnson, saying he was an excellent teacher and a wonderful role model outside of the classroom as well. Mr. Johnson said that’s a goal he set for himself as an education student years ago.

“I said OK, when I become a teacher I want to create an environment where kids feel comfortable interacting with their teacher, if they’re comfortable they’re gonna’ learn,” Johnson said at the time.

In order to receive the Distinguished Service Award, the NCSTA says nominees must excel in the aspects of science education relative to the category in which they’re nominated, exhibit leadership in science education beyond the local administrative position, has contributed to improvements in science education, and has been associated with science education for at least 5 years.