School board honors teacher of the year: Doug Johnson

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Doug Johnson has been named the Support Staff Employee of the Year – 2009-2010 for the Emery School District.
Johnson works as one of the district technology specialists. He has been with the district for 15.5 years. Johnson is known throughout the district as “the man who fixes the computers.” Johnson has great people skills and is a great teacher. He is very knowledgeable about technology equipment and the software used by each piece of equipment. There are few, if any, technology related problems he cannot fix.
Comments from other district employees:
*”Not only does Doug solve a technology crisis every day, but he does it with a smile and a joke.”
*”Doug is always busy, but never so busy that he can’t help a co-worker with their computer problems.”
*”Doug’s knowledge of computers is vast and ever-evolving to keep up with the changing technology”
*”In all the years Doug has worked for the District, he has never complained or shirked his duties”
*”Doug is always smiling and is there to pitch in, whenever needed, for any purpose. He will pop in every so often and ask ‘What can I do for you’.”
*”Everything I know and do with computers is because of Doug and his ability to teach. I’m sure this is true of many Emery District Employees.”
Since part of Doug’s assignment includes the Green River schools, he is on the road a lot. However, he never complains and has always expressed his concern for helping the administration, faculty and staff at Green River High School and Book Cliff Elementary. He has also been a great delivery service each week as he makes his trek to Green River and his deliveries are especially appreciated around payday time.
Doug has a high level of energy, especially around hunting seasons, but it is certainly not uncommon for Doug to work as many hours as needed to finish a project, especially the month before school starts when switching out the old computers and installing the new ones.
Doug is a skilled employee and a friend to all.
“It is a pleasure for the Emery County School District Administration and Board of Education to present this award to Doug Johnson,” said Laurel Johansen, board president.
Johnson is a native of Emery County and grew up in Elmo. He was an honor student at Emery High and then attended the College of Eastern Utah. Before he could graduate from CEU he was called to active duty with the Utah National Guard to serve during the first Gulf War. Johnson was sent to Germany where he trained as a replacement for the soldiers serving in Saudi Arabia. After serving in Germany for six months he was sent home. When he returned, he married his wife Tracey and together they finished their Associate of Science degrees at CEU.
Johnson attended Southern Utah University in Cedar City where he earned a bachelors of science in information systems. While at SUU, he also earned his certified network engineer for computer networking.
Johnson worked as an intern at Energy West in their information technology department. He was able to learn many real world skills and enjoyed the job, but decided to move to Salt Lake when he was offered a position with UDOT’s IT department.
In 1995, he returned to Emery County and began his work for the school district. He jumped at the chance to return home. He is a small town boy at heart and couldn’t wait to get out of the city.
For the past 15.5 years, Johnson has worked as the computer geek. He fixes computers, manages computer networks, trains faculty and staff, and anything else that is asked of him. He has been a valuable asset to the school district, not only providing computer services, but working with various employee committees, judging junior high dutch oven cooking contest, barbecuing hamburgers and sometimes even providing comic relief.
Johnson has two children. Hayden is a straight A student at San Rafael Junior High. Hayden is active in student council, band and just being a teenager. Camrey is also a straight A student at Cottonwood Elementary and is currently involved in sports, basketball and softball. Johnson is a good father and proud of his children and does everything he can to make sure they succeed and are happy.
Johnson loves to hunt almost anything, but elk hunting is the favorite. He takes every opportunity he can to get out on the mountain and chase elk. He is also a skilled woodworker and has made cabinets and furniture for family members and friends. He is currently working on building the cabinets for his new home.
Johnson would like to spend his future continuing in his employment with the school district, going on hunting trips and proudly watching his children grow up.