Analy High School teacher receives first Arts Educator of the Year award

By Amie Windsor

Jolene Johnson, an Analy High School dance teacher is the recipient of the county’s first Arts Educator of Year award. The honor was awarded by the Luther Burbank Center for the Arts (LBC) and Creative Sonoma.

A resident of Santa Rosa for 40 years and an educator in Sonoma County since 2009, Johnson is a dance teacher at Analy High School in west Sonoma County and at Santa Rosa Junior College. She also teaches dance at the Movement Lab in Santa Rosa and has taught at the elementary school level in the county.

“I’m honored to be recognized for sharing my passion with the community and excited to continue inspiring others,” Johnson said. “Often, in the arts, we’re always looking for positive ways to help kids get through their day, find their passion, and have confidence in themselves. Teaching dance allows me to stay connected with the community and create opportunities in the arts for the students of West Sonoma County.”

Johnson was honored on March 27 at the Arts Education Alliance Mix and Mingle at Mitote Food Park. She will also be honored on April 4 by the Sonoma County Office of Education’s “A Festive Thought“ Art Open House, where she will officially be presented the award. The open house is at the Sonoma County Office of Education, located at 5340 Skylane Blvd. in Santa Rosa and runs from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. The open house is free and open to the public.

Johnson said that arts education is important these days because sometimes, it’s the only thing that brings them to school.

“Arts education gives students an opportunity to explore their world around them and how they fit, excel and grow through this space,” she said. “For some of my students, it’s the only thing that brings them to school. For others, it’s a refuge against all the overwhelming expectations. For some, it’s a form of expression that helps them find confidence and strength.”

Indeed, studies on arts education have shown that arts can help students develop not just creativity, ingenuity and performance skills, but so-called softer skills that enable them to handle the stresses of life. Art education helps students hone social-emotional and interpersonal skills, both of which were hampered by the COVID-19 pandemic.

For Johnson, dance in particular is an opportunity to form those connections.

“My dance community is like my family. We grow together, help one another and support each other,” she said. “Connection is what makes dance and the arts so impactful.”

Dance also keeps a body active, she said, noting it’s a win-win.

“I love dance because it keeps my body moving. I love the athleticism, sense of community and the music,” Johnson said.

In particular, she enjoys the puzzle of choreography and how it allows her to express her ideas “in different ways and share them with the world, especially certain content that might get people’s attention about what’s affecting our community,” she said.

Besides a plaque honoring her win, she also will receive $500 honoraria and a $500 gift card to a local arts store of her choice for classroom supplies.

Johnson said the award is special because it’s not always easy to tell if arts education is making an impact.

“I’d like to believe I am, but this recognition confirms that my hard work and extra hours are being noticed and making a positive impact on the community,” she said. “The arts for so long always had to find to show their importance and necessity. I’m so glad that Sonoma County has made an avenue for arts educators to be recognized for their hard work and for the community to recognize the impact of the arts in our communities.”

Sponsored by Daniels Chapel of the Roses, the award honors professional arts educators working with the K-12 population – in particular, arts and classroom instructors who teach visual art, music, drama, dance or multimedia arts. It recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to the advancement of arts education over an extended period.

Honorable mention awards also were given to Efraín Nava of Elsie Allen High School, Kyle Thompson from Cesar Chavez Language Academy, Yoshi Makino from Geyserville New Tech Academy, and Jessica Martin from West Side Elementary.

Other finalists included Sandra Novia, Art Quest High School; Nancy Riccardi, Gravenstein Union School District; Walter Williams, Creekside High School and Sonoma Valley Museum of Art; Sarah Friedman, Spring Lake Middle School; Amy Waud-Reiter, Santa Rosa Charter School for the Arts Bridget Palmer, A Theater for Children, Luther Burbank Center for the Arts; and Matthew Bringedahl, Maria Carillo High School.