Q and A with Amanda Johnson

Amanda Johnson is the Manager of Academic Planning and Mathematics teacher in the Senior School at Canberra Girls Grammar School.

As a teacher, what drives you each day?

I am very lucky to be able to do what I love. Contributing to the lives of the young women of our future drives me each day. Walking into the classroom is exciting and every day is different. I definitely know how fortunate I am to be able to teach such remarkable young women. I am surrounded by inspiring colleagues that create an enjoyable working environment. Coming to work each day is an absolute pleasure. Mathematics can be polarising, people seem to love it or hate it. What strategies do you use to help students embrace maths?

I try to make my classroom fun and engaging for all students. Building confidence is vital in Mathematics.

What does the Manager of Academic Planning do and how does it support student outcomes?

In my role as Manager of Academic Planning I use educational data to inform processes, policies and practices for our students. I provide analysis and evidence to inform the strategic direction and provision of academic care.

What do you see as the greatest challenge facing the current generation of students?

Uncertainty surrounding what jobs will exist and the evolving technology; the need to be adaptive learners as the world changes. Navigating social media is also a challenge.

You work tirelessly to support Share the Dignity, how do you see this service as empowering the students you work with?

Share the Dignity is a charity that supports women and girls in need. At CGGS we participate in the Dignity Drive, which involves collecting pads and tampons for women in need and we also participate in the It’s in the bag Christmas drive, which involves putting together a bag of essential items for women and young girls in need at Christmas time. I love supporting this charity as it is hands on and the students can see the difference they make through their generous donations. I am a volunteer for Share the Dignity, so the students and I have the privilege of delivering our donations directly to the charities in need. This has been a positive experience for the students involved as they get to hear stories from different charities in Canberra and be thanked for all their hard work and assured that they are making a difference.

What do you see as your greatest achievement?

My greatest achievement in my teaching career was receiving the CGGS Parents & Friends Association Teaching Award in 2018. I was very humbled and grateful to the students who nominated me. I will never forget feeling honoured and complete shock.

My greatest achievement in my personal life would definitely be my three children.

Sum up life as a member of the CGGS community in five words.

Inclusion, courage, integrity, happiness, family.

What are you reading at the moment?

I am currently reading Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets to my eightyear-old daughter.

Hypothetical – you’re gifted a plane ticket to anywhere in the world – where do you go, and why?

I would go to America. I have three sisters (we all have children) and we had planned to travel to America this year - just the four of us. Unfortunately, we had to postpone our trip due to the pandemic.

“I am very lucky to be able to do what I love. Contributing to the lives of the young women of our future drives me each day.”

— Amanda Johnson

About Amanda

Amanda Johnson was born and raised in Canberra as one of four sisters. After undertaking a double major in Mathematics at Erindale College, she initially enrolled in Actuarial Studies at ANU before deciding – over the Christmas holidays when she was working with young people – to change her preferences to Secondary Teaching at University of Canberra. Upon graduating, she spent a short stint teaching in ACT Government schools before starting at CGGS in July 2005.

She is the proud mother of three children, aged eight, six and threeand-a-half, all of whom share her love of playing football. The comfort of life in Canberra and the importance of family isn’t lost on Amanda. Every Sunday, her entire clan – including her parents and sisters, and their families - come together for their regular family dinner.

“I love watching my children play with their [eight] cousins. I appreciate how lucky they are to see them so frequently.”

Amanda Johnson with three of her senior mathematics students in the background