English teacher prepares to leave Misawa after 10 years

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Stefanie Torres
  • 35th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan --  Lorayne Johansen was determined to do the opposite of what her mother wanted her to do - become a teacher. It was not until she had a family of her own that Ms. Johansen starting singing a different tune. 

Now a 27-year veteran teacher, Ms. Johansen has spent the last 10 years teaching regular and advanced placement English to 11th and 12th graders at Edgren High School on Misawa Air Base. 

"The students are wonderful," she said. "They make me think, explore and keep me on my toes." 

Raising teenagers can be quite challenging for many parents, but Ms. Johansen has different thoughts about teaching them. She said she accepts the challenges and believes working with the young adults is the best job she has ever had. 

"Misawa has the best schools I have ever worked in," said Ms. Johansen. 

Working for a Department of Defense School can present different challenges for teachers, one of which includes responding to the life of a military child. 

"The biggest challenge we face together is the deployment of the parents," Ms. Johansen said. "We have to always remember that their world is bigger - remember that their lives are always complicated. You have to be receptive and open." 

With that in mind, Ms. Johansen said her philosophy is to run a "cooperative" environment. 

"The students do better thinking for themselves than just giving them the answer," she said. "I encourage them to use their higher-level thinking skills." 

Another obstacle she faces is keeping up with her AP students. 

"The hardest part is keeping them challenged," she said. "They are very bright and I am working very hard to stay with them." 

Ms. Johansen learns just as much from her students as she teaches them and said her success has everything to do with the students. 

"It's a mutual thing," she said. "They try and don't give up. That is the essence of a good student. They are the best part of the job." 

Ms. Johansen is due to PCS to Belgium for another teaching job next year.