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About Herr Johnston Professional Information Personal Information Professional Information Education Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität Munich, Germany Portland State University Portland, Oregon Oregon State University Corvallis, Oregon Sunset High School Beaverton, Oregon Licensure Oregon Standard Teaching Certificate Endorsements German: Kindergarten - 12th Grade Social Studies: 5th Grade - 12th Grade Certification CPR & Basic First Aid School Van Driver Current Glencoe High School Hillsboro, Oregon Responsibilities Department of World Languages, Chair German I, II, III, & IV, Instructor German Club, Advisor Ultimate Frisbee Club, Advisor Hillsboro S.D. Migrant Summer School Program English Language Learners III P.A.S.S. Hillsboro Education Association Glencoe High School, Building Representative Educational Testing Service PRAXIS Teacher Training Testing, Head Site Supervisor SAT Testing, Associate Site Supervisor Oregon Department of Education Statewide Writing Assessment, Scorer Professional Confederation of Oregon Foreign Language Teachers Organizations American Association of Teachers of German Oregon Education Association Hillsboro Education Association Personal Information Below is an interview that was conducted by two German I students (Maren B. and Barbara S.). It is not exactly a 60 Minutes interview, but I hope you find it of some use. - Herr Johnston How old are you? Older than you. Next question. Where do you live? I own a house in Jackson School Neighborhood in northwest Hillsboro. I purposefully bought a house close enough to the school, so that I may either ride my bicycle or walk to work. I think everyone should help to protect the environment and reduce the United States' dependence on oil. When I need to go into to Portland, I use TriMet busses or MAX if I am not in a big hurry. Fortunately, the Bicycle Transportation Alliance has many bicycle lockers at most of the MAX train stations, so I can ride my bike to downtown Hillsboro MAX station and then lock it up. It's a great way to travel in the area. Look into it and see if it is for you. You can save a lot of money using public transportation, not to mention helping to protect the environment. Do you have any children? Yes, about 210 every other day. Do you play any sports? In the past, any time I felt like exercising, I would just lie down until the feeling went away. However, my attitude toward exercise changed after seeing a photograph of myself. It was not pleasent, to say the least. My picture made the late, great comedian Chris Farley look svelte by comparison. Also, it does not help that the camera seems to add at least ten pounds or more. I have a membership at the Multnomah Athletic Club (M.A.C.) in downtown Portland, so it is sometimes difficult to make it down there, but I try to lift weights and get in some aerobic activity as well. The machines I normally use are: an elliptical trainer, treadmill, and stationary bicycle. Walking to school has also been good for me, but I still eat more than I should. Thank goodness eating is my only vice! As for team sports, I have never really played any. I played football when I was in junior high, but stopped when I realized I did not want to hurt any one or get hurt myself. I think the latter may have had a bigger influence than the former. I enjoy sports that are individualistic, such as skeet shooting, golf, swimming, tennis, etc. Do you watch any sports? The sport I like to watch the most is ultimate fighting. Those guys are true athletes. They have to be quick, agile, strong, felxible, very well condtioned, and fairly intelligent. It can be very fast paced. I also like to watch basketball but mostly baseball. The Chicago Cubs are my favorite team. Fortunately, the M.A.C. has a balcony that overlooks PGE Park, so I am able to watch Portland Beavers baseball games for free. What do you like to do in your free time? I enjoy doing things from which I can learn something. For example, last year I went to Pennsylvania and New York. While in Pennsylvania, I saw Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, Valley Forge, and Gettysburg. Gettysburg was an especially moving and powerful place to vistit. I think that every American or at least every history teacher should visit that battlefield site at least once. I also like to work out, cook, go to movies, and travel. There are two kinds of people in this world: Elvis fans and Beatles fans. Which are you? I am definitely an Elvis fan. Aadams Family or the Munsters? The Munsters. Coke or Pepsi? Coke, probably, but it really doesn't matter. Whichever one is the coldest. Are you a morning person or a night owl. I am a morning person, no question about it. Early to bed and early to rise. What do you do during your vacations? It really depends on the year. Sometimes I travel, visit relatives, work, take college classes, or am lazy and just lie around. Would you rather spend time at the beach or in the mountains? I prefer the mountains, although the beach is nice. My fondness for the mountains developed when I spent a lot time at my grandparents' cabin in the Summer. It was ideal for a young boy. During the day, I could swim, fish, waterski, ride ATVs, and shoot empty pop bottles with my 22 rifle. In the evenings, after supper, we would either play games, read, or just talk. Some of the best things about the mountains are all of the plants, trees, and animals that one can see. Scent is also very important. I would much rather smell pine than the sea air. Unlike, Kramer from t.v.'s Seinfeld, I do not want to smell like the beach. Which of the seven deadly sins do you commit the most? Gluttony. To quote the late, great Mr. Fred Rogers: "Can you say, buffet?" Do you have any pet peeves? I cannot stand cigarette or cigar smoke. What or who influenced you the most during your childhood? Without a doubt, television. It is sad but true. My role models were JR Ewing (Dallas) and Sgt. Schulz (Hogan's Heroes). Watching Hogan's Heroes is what primarily got me interested in learning German. What or who was the most influential to your career? Lou Mueller, Hal Swafford, Herbert Wubben, Eckard Toy, and Bill Lunch. They are the best teachers I have ever had. Do you enjoy teaching? Every job has its positive and negative aspects, but I really enjoy it. I cannot imagine doing any other kind of work. What advice would you give to high school students? If you work hard, almost anything is possible. Take chances. (Within reason, of course) Never eat more than you can lift. The sofa is your enemy! Never give up! Herr Johnston's List of Favorites Color: blue or loden green Scent: the smell of freshly cut grass/hay in the Spring and Summer Sound: the sound of falling snow Season: Fall (cool, crisp air and the beginning of a new school year) Board Game: Monopoly Video Game: The last video game I played was Missle Command in the 1980s. Athlete: Forrest Griffin Sport: Ultimate Fighting Sports Team: Chicago Cubs Indoor Activities: bowling and surfing the internet Outdoor Activities: hiking and bicycling TV Show: NBC Nightly News, Meet The Press, Seinfeld, and The Apprentice Cartoon Character: Bugs Bunny Movie: Ferris Bueller's Day Off, Back To School, and True Grit Dramatic Actor: Gene Hackman Dramatic Actress: Sally Fields Comedic Actor: Tim Conway Comedic Actress: Lucille Ball Play: MacBeth, Death of a Salesman, and Ten Little Indians Musical: Guys and Dolls and The Producers Music: classical, classic Rock, Country (1950s-1980s), and traditional Bluegrass Male Singer: Frank Sinatra Female Singer: Lena Horn Rock group: ZZ Top Male Country Singer: George Jones Female Country Singer: Tammy Wynette Country Song: He stopped loving her today by George Jones Instrument: five-string banjo and violin/fiddle Instrumental: Foggy Mountain Breakdown by Flatt and Scruggs Book/Author: Profile of Power: President Kennedy by Richard Reeves, Truman by David McCullough, Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls, and Charlie and the Chocloate Factory by Roald Dahl Magazine: Newsweek, Time, Vanity Fair, and Entertainment Weekly President: George Washington, Theodore Roosevelt, and Ronald Reagan Animal: great white shark Pet: dog Most used appliance: refrigerator Room: family room Powertool: lawn mower Cereal: Raisin Bran Vegetable: potatoes (mashed, fried, baked, it doesn't matter) Fruit: fresh peaches Snack: vanilla yogurt, granola, and fresh fruit Cookie: hot-out-of-the-oven chocolate chip Candy Bar: Milka (a German chocolate) Pizza: Genoa from Pizza Schmizza Drink: iced tea Good Luck Charm: none Nicknames from my students: J-Dawg, Big Papa V, and Ice Trey