AACT Member Spotlight: S'Christien Johnson



Every month AACT spotlights a passionate member who is dedicated to enhancing chemistry inside and outside the classroom. This month, we spotlight S'Christien Johnson. He teaches elementary school science at UPHC Small Steps Learning Center in Foley, Alabama. S'Christien also serves as the 2026-2027 AACT Elementary School Ambassador. 

Tell us about yourself.

I am from Mobile, Alabama and have been a STEAM Instructor for K3-1st grade for 5 years. I graduated from Spring Hill College in 2021 with a degree in Marine and Organismal Biology. I am a former rugby player and now I coach rugby in my free time. Art is an outlet for me as well, and love to write, paint, and make music (though I'm not very good). I have been a member of AACT for two years. As a fun fact, my father, my big brother, and I were all on the television show, Who Wants to Be a Millionaire! (Sadly, none of us are millionaires!)

Why did you become a teacher? Did you always want to teach?

I did not want to become a teacher. I wanted to be out and about in nature. Not in a classroom for 180 days but yet here I am. I watched my mother teach and continue to watch my mother for the better part of 26 years. I do not regret becoming a teacher and I am very humbled to be a member of this profession. It has been the most interesting tragic comedy I've ever experienced in my life. I would not trade it for anything.

What fuels your passion for science and teaching?

My passion is fueled by a deep love of science and want to share that love with the next generation. I think we all have a hand in making the next generation better than this one and I'm honored to be apart of their scientific journey through education! If you can bring my passion to them and instill a love of learning and science in to them, then they will remember that for a lifetime!

What do you do to remain current and bring the latest science into the classroom?

Reading! Read! To all teachers and chemist: Keep reading. Keep seeking knowledge. Keep seeking resources. We do not know everything. We do not see everything. We do not hear everything. So, we must keep seeking and reading what we seek. When you get done seeking, research! When you get done researching, research some more. When you get done researching more, find something else to read.

How do you monitor the progress of your students? How do you ensure under-performers excel?

Trust your eyes. If a student seems like they are struggling, they probably are. Approach them and ask then to explain what they do are doing. Compliment them on what they are doing well and guide them on track for where they need support. Progress is measured by the support needed to perform a task. Some students need little support and some students need more support. Those who need more support should be supported in a way that help them rely on themselves as well as the support given. 

Everyone has support that they need to be given and it will differ across subjects. The student who needed little support in balancing equations may be your most supported student in mechanisms. The way to support under-performers is with kindness and understanding. Children feel more supported by your attitude towards their struggle than by your help with a difficult subject. Make them feel like a priority to get back on track rather than a burden so the class can move on.

Share some words of wisdom to other chemists.

Be less professional! Your love of science or math or chemistry was not built on professionalism, it was built on curiosity. Let less informed people be annoyingly curious. Let them ask questions and answer them to build their interests and love. Not to show off your knowledge or your expertise. 

Be more relatable! If someone is trying to relate to what you're saying (even if they are horribly wrong) use what they are saying to help them understand. You are smart enough and creative enough to relate bubble gum to the electron cloud. You can do it! I believe in you!

In three words, what would your students say they learned from you?

Always ask questions!