28 Years in the Classroom: Amy Johnson Shares Her Best Advice for Differentiation and Teacher Success

OptimALL recently connected with educator Amy Johnson to capture her insights into education, classroom realities, and what truly helps teachers reach every learner. 

After 28 years teaching in Cincinnati public schools, Amy isn't riding off into retirement. Instead, she's stepping into a new role as a coach. She hopes her deep experience in instructional best-practices, MTSS frameworks, and real-time classroom differentiation will now support educators across all kinds of schools. 

Amy says her drive is simple. She wants to help teachers feel supported so that every student gets exactly what they need to thrive, no matter what their learning needs are. 

We spoke with Amy about what she’s learned over the years, what she wishes every teacher knew, and why partnership beats prescription every time. 

Here’s what she shared: 

From Classroom Teacher to Instructional Coach—and Back

Amy has taught across multiple public schools, often in Title I settings serving low-income families. For three years she served as an instructional coach. She returned to the regular classroom recently because a district policy rotates coaches every few years to keep their perspectives fresh and current. 

That gave Amy something rare. 

She gained deep experience both leading classrooms and supporting the teachers inside them. Her wheelhouse includes multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS), on-the-spot differentiation, accommodations for students with exceptional needs, and the detailed work behind reading intervention requirements. She knows how to move Tier 2 and Tier 3 students back from full access to grade-level learning without letting them fall behind.

“Individualized learning is so important,” Amy says. “It needs to have fluidity. What might work for one student might not work for another, and it might need to change on the fly.”

Her Coaching Style: Listen First, Partner Always

When Amy walks into a new school, she doesn’t arrive with a pre-packaged plan. She begins by asking questions of the educators she’s coaching.

“I start by asking, ‘what do you need from me?’ or ‘what are your biggest challenges right now?’ and ‘where do you already see greatness happening?’,” she told us. 

She observes classrooms, spots the teachers already pulling small groups or adjusting lessons in real time, and helps administrators recognize those “pockets of greatness” already in their building. 

Amy deeply believes her role is to collaborate.

“I’m a partner in education,” she says. “Teachers know their students better than any outsider ever will.”

Her job is to offer fresh eyes, new resources, and a steady sounding board when the daily load feels overwhelming.

Four Pieces of Advice Every Teacher Needs to Hear

Even if your school doesn’t have a coaching program in place, Amy’s wisdom might work for your school. These are the reminders she gives every educator she meets:

1. Give yourself grace. This work is hard. You will not reach 100% of your students 100% of every day. That’s normal. Be kind to yourself.

2. Don’t be afraid to try something new. And don’t be afraid to drop it if it isn’t working. Instruction should stay fluid.

3. Trust your instincts. You know your kids better than anyone walking through your door. If a student has their head down, there’s usually a reason—and you’re probably the one who understands it best.

4. Focus on growth, not just snapshots. State tests capture one moment in time. Real success is measured in the progress a child makes from where they started.

   
   

Amy also pushes back on the old “memorize and repeat” model. 

“We’re not teaching children how to memorize anymore,” she says. “We need to teach them how to access information, use it, and apply what they know. This is especially important for students with exceptional needs.”

Why This Work Matters in Catholic and Religious Schools

Amy chose Catholic schools for her own children because she wanted the values, the community, and the relationships that come with them. She knows those same schools want to serve every learner but often lack the specialized support public districts sometimes have.

That’s exactly where OptimALL steps in. We connect Catholic and faith-based schools with experienced coaches and tutors like Amy who understand both the realities of the classroom and the unique mission of religious education. OptimALL provides partnership that builds on the strong foundation already in place at a school.

“Good is the enemy of great,” Amy says.

And she’s right. Many schools are already good. OptimALL’s role is helping them become great for every single child. 

Ready to Strengthen Your Team?

Amy Johnson’s story is proof that experience, humility, and a deep love for kids can transform entire buildings. If your Catholic or faith-based school is looking for coaching in differentiation, MTSS implementation, teacher support, or targeted tutoring, we’d love to connect you with experts like her.