EDUCATION BRIEFS

Shelton High grad is teacher of the year

Holly Johnson, a 1998 graduate of Shelton High School, was named by Capital Region Educational Service District 113 as the 2024 Regional Teacher of the Year.

Johnson is a special education teacher in the Tenino School District. She is now a finalist for the Washington State Teacher of the Year. The state's Office of Public Instruction will announce that winner in the fall.

In a news release, EDS 113 wrote "As an educator of children with disabilities, Johnson believes her primary purpose is to remove barriers for her students and their families. She had had to wear many hats as her program is not disability specific. Because of this, she has become an expert in adapting her teaching methods and supports to a wide variety of students."

"She provides hope to families facing many challenges," wrote Brock Williams, principal of Parkside Elementary School.

Johnson attended Hood Canal Schools before Shelton High School. In 2002, she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Education degree from Central Washington University. She began her teaching career at Parkside Elementary School, where she still works. Johnson continued her education and earned her Master of Education degree from Heritage University in 2008.

Johnson lives in Rochester with her husband, Steve. They have two children, Hannah and Kyler. Two years ago, she wrote and illustrated her first children's book, "Poultry Tales Indiana's Busy Day."

Local graduate gets scholarship to study nursing

Pomona Grange of Mason County awarded a $1,000 scholarship to Alexandrea Sorley, a 2023 graduate of Shelton High School.

Sorley, the daughter of Lea and Dan Sorley of Union, plans to attend Bellingham Technical College School of Nursing, with the goal to become a pediatric nurse. At Shelton High School, she participated in cheer and played on the volleyball and golf teams. In her spare time, she grows flowers to give away.