GO GIVERS: Kayla Johnson
Kayla Johnson,22, is a Jacksonville native who lives right on the edge of San Marco where itjoins San Jose and has always felt part of both neighborhoods. She will soongraduate with her degree in early childhood education and the goal ofcontinuing on to earn her master’s degree. Johnson’s volunteer work at DLC(Developmental Learning Center) Nurse & Learn began as a fulfillment of herdegree requirement, but became much more. She believes it confirmed andstrengthened her desire to specialize in the field of special education.
“SinceI was a very little girl, I would pretend that I was teaching my dolls forhours on end, according to my mother. I think I have always known that I wouldteach children, but did not realize I would be so strongly drawn to those withspecial needs. I just enjoy interacting with these special kids,” she said.
Johnsonpraised the DLC for its inclusion classes, which bring normally developingchildren together with children who have disabilities or special needs. Playingand learning together at such a young age is wonderful for both groups,according to Johnson.
“Thereare not enough programs available that offer inclusion classes, nor are thereenough openings in those classes for all the children who could benefit. Thechildren play and learn alongside each other and accept their many differencesin such a natural way. It is a beautiful thing to see them all so happy to betogether and to know they will grow into more compassionate and understandingadults as a result of their experience in such a diverse, inclusive school,”Johnson said.
DLCis only the latest community involvement for Johnson, who began to volunteerduring her teens. For three summers, ten hours a week, during high school,Johnson helped children complete creative arts and crafts projects at NemoursChildren’s Clinic while they waited for their appointments.
Johnsonnot only has a heart for children with disabilities and chronic conditions, shealso is very aware of the many children who face separation that may be long-termor permanent from one or both parents. She is a longtime supporter ofAngel Tree Christmas, a program of Prison Fellowship. The organization is anon-profit, Christian charity that sponsors Angel Tree Christmas as a way tohelp imprisoned parents maintain their bond with their children. The programseeks to connect imprisoned parents with their families through the delivery ofChristmas gifts. More than 1.7 million children spend Christmas separated fromtheir mom or dad, according to the organization.
PrisonFellowship also offers many other programs for inmates and their families,according to Johnson. The children of inmates suffer during the separation andcan best be described as the invisible, often forgotten victims of theirparent’s mistakes. Prison Fellowship is the only national ministry to focusattention on the children of inmates. Their research has shown that 1 in 3prisoners is a parent and approximately 75% of women prisoners are mothers.
“PrisonFellowship is such a great organization because not only do they make sure aparent in prison can give his or her child a gift at Christmas, but they workto help the inmates and families in so many different ways. They also assistinmates in the difficult task of assimilating back into their families and thecommunity when they are released,” Johnson said.
Notsurprisingly, Johnson’s mother Myra Johnson is also a teacher. She instructsSpanish at Douglas Anderson School of the Arts and has been a volunteer in thecommunity. Mrs. Johnson coordinated the Dreams Come True group at DouglasAnderson. Johnson’s brother Kyle, 19, and an FSCJ student, was an activevolunteer while in high school who was honored with a scholarship for hisefforts.
“I’msure that my mother’s volunteer and career activities helped instill in me theinterest in helping others, and also the love of learning and teachingchildren. My passion is inspiring kids to want to learn more, whatever theirchallenges may be,” she said. “I know that even when I finish school and beginmy career, I will still find time to volunteer in some capacity. I also loveanimals and would like to help out at an animal shelter.”
Withher classes and internship, Johnson has little free time as she nearsgraduation, and has had to give up most other activities for now. She is amember of Lakewood United Methodist Church where she attends with her mother,brother, and her father, Gene Johnson. Gene is the director of media for TheDalton Agency. The fifth and furry member of the Johnson family is Teyton,Kayla’s rescue mutt.
“WhenI finish my master’s degree and get settled into my career, I look forward totaking up yoga classes, something I’ve always wanted to try. As far as lookingahead farther into the future, some friends and I were just sitting talkingabout how we would all like to own a business someday. I don’t know what itmight be yet, but that is definitely a dream in the back of my mind—somethingto look forward to after I retire from teaching,” she said.
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