W.T. Johnson
Training and Technical Assistance Consultant
William T. Johnson, or as he is known, W.T., began his life’s journey and education in Palmyra, Missouri. His formal education began at Lincoln Colored School until 1957 when the school was closed and Black students were integrated into the white school.
W.T. graduated from Palmyra RI Schools in 1967. He attended college for a year prior to being drafted into the US Army. After two years in the Army, he returned to college and received a BS in Elementary Education in 1973. He moved to New Jersey where he spent the summer as a Camp Counselor and in the fall began teaching first grade in Newark, New Jersey. That was the beginning of over 30 years as an educator. Over those 30 years, he has taught all ages and grades in Elementary, Secondary and College. In 1976, he received a master’s degree in Early Childhood Education. He also has served as a school administrator in the Republic of Panama, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba and Hannibal, Missouri.
He enjoys reading and over the years has become a well-known storyteller, living historian and public speaker in his community.
W.T. has been married for over 45 years to his wife Cynthia. They have three grown children, six grandchildren and a dog.
His involvement with Be Strong Families began in 2019 when he attended a Parent Café Training. He later that year attended a training led by Sarita Sashington and Tiffany Murphy and was certified to facilitate in-person Parent Café Trainings. He is delighted by the renewed relationship with Be Strong Families and looks forward to a long relationship.
He loves to say “Every day is a holiday and it all pays the same.” In regards to changes, his outlook is “Ride the mule in the direction it is going.”
“Family are those folks that lifted you up and made you the person that others see.”