Mr. Darryl Johnson

Darryl Johnson

Motivational Messages, PD/PL Secondary Teachers

Mr. Darryl Johnson Professional Career:

  • Retired after 29 years in Missouri public schools from North Kansas City School District on July 1, 2021
  • Teacher, coach, and department chair
  • Worked in four districts: Northeast Nodaway, Clinton County, Smithville, and North Kansas City
  • Former adjunct professor–Maple Woods Community College, Johnson County Community College, William Jewell College, and University of Missouri-Kansas City
  • Smithville High School Teacher of the Year (8 consecutive years)
  • Kansas City Northland Chamber of Commerce Excellence in Teaching Award 
  • Northwest Missouri State University Young Alumni Award (2003)
  • National Board for Professional Learning Standards Certification (2002, 2012)
  • Missouri Teacher of the Year (2007)
  • National Teachers Hall of Fame inductee (2013)–advisor to its Board of Trustees and chair of the National Selection Committee
  • MNEA Horace Mann Award (2007)
  • Mr. Darryl Johnson published in regional, state, and national publications
  • Willa Cather Foundation Scholarship Committee
  • Over 50 public speaking engagements, including four high school commencement addresses

Personal, Hobbies, In My Spare Time, Unique Facts:

  • Husband to a retired middle school educator and a father of two adult children
  • Raised in Port Washington, Wisconsin and graduated from high school in St. Charles, Illinois
  • First generation college student
  • Music, reading, writing, basketball, and baseball
  • Anything associated with my alma mater, Northwest Missouri State University
  • Co-wrote the inaugural school song for Liberty North (MO) High School
  • Threw out the ceremonial first pitch with Sammy Hagar at Busch Stadium

What I Love About School / The Profession of Education:

  • The relationships with all stakeholders built on professional and personal investment and daily engagement
  • The power of one conversation, one lesson, or one moment in a person’s life
  • Establishing mutually high expectations, relishing humor, and embracing community

Favorite Quote:
“The public school is the best defense of a democratic nation.” — Dumas Malone

Favorite or Most Impactful Teacher Growing Up:
My 8th grade ELA teacher, Mr. Bruce Kehl, was also a major in the Army Reserves. Strict as he was, he saw something in me that I didn’t see in myself.