Finding Greatness: Amanda Johnson
Author: News Bureau
Posted: Monday, August 24, 2015 1:34 PM
Categories:
Finding Greatness | Students | School of Information Technology | Pressroom
Macon, GA
Full Name: Amanda Johnson.
Age: 35.
Hometown: Vidalia.
Residence: Warner Robins.
Family: “I am married to my best friend since kindergarten, Jimmy Johnson. We have two children, ages 9 and 5. We also have a fat cat named Garfield and a schnauzer named Zeva who don’t realize they are animals.”
Employment: Full-time student, mother and wife.
Degree Objective: “I am working towards my bachelor of science in Information Technology. I have chosen not to have a concentration because I want to have a diverse knowledge base. I plan to return to Middle Georgia State for my master’s in IT.”
Class Rank: Junior.
Primary Campuses: Macon and Warner Robins.
Activities: President, Association of Information Technology Students; President’s Torch Society member.
Career Goals: “I want to join Middle Georgia State University as a faculty member once I graduate with my master’s. I plan to continue my research of technology through education games and other projects.”
She chose Middle Georgia State because … “It was convenient. But little did I know that I was choosing a school with a faculty and staff that inspires and intrigues me. I am a non-traditional student and have attended other colleges but none has faculty that work alongside the students and encourage the students to think outside the box and outside the classroom. Choosing Middle Georgia State University directed me to a career path that was my passion.”
Her favorite professor is … “Shannon Beasley. I have taken his programming, networking and special project classes. Professor Beasley has the ability to make you really think about the logic of what you are doing and helps you apply the classroom work into real world situations. He can facilitate a group of students with their different mindsets and help them work together to come up with amazing results.”
Her favorite place to study is … “My home at my personal computer. I have built my setup and modified it through my years of study at the university. This is a place where I can observe and referee my household and be productive at the same time.”
One thing people don’t know about her is … “I was a missionary to Nova Sepetiba, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Nova Sepetiba is a very large slum of government housing in Brazil. I was shot at on many occasions and eventually had to flee the country because of Brazil's corrupt government. Despite the hardships, I would not change that chapter in my life for anything.”
Her friends make fun of her because … “I am a huge Whovian geek. That is the term for a person who is a huge Doctor Who fan. I do believe that I am the only parent with children who know what a TARDIS is and are afraid of Weeping Angels or Daleks.”
The one person she’d most like to meet is … “Walt Disney. He had an amazing ability to take his dreams and bring them as close to reality as he could. Anyone could tell by his demeanor that he knew how to dream, have compassion for others and take the world and make it feel amazing.”
Five years from now she sees herself … “Enjoying my family and inspiring students as my teachers have inspired me. I hope to take the research I have been working on and make classrooms from kindergarten through 12th grade more interactive and accessible for any type of child, no matter the disability or learning type. I hope to change the way my children are being taught and improve their access to knowledge.”