About Me

 

Ryan D. Johnson | Chicago, IL 60643 |  

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

 

April 2013 – Present: 7TH- 8TH Science Teacher | Jovita Idár Elementary | 5050 S. Homan Avenue | Chicago, IL  

I am a school science leader dedicated to an inquiry-based, culturally sustainable, authentic approach to learning science that emphasizes engagement with real-world phenomena.  I am a firm advocate of storytelling and building genuine science identities driven by engagement in interdisciplinary community-based problems. My work is driven by climate and environmental science in  urban areas through participatory action to establish and sustain place-based-driven projects. Teaching page: https://rb.gy/sbyay6

▪ Created, designed, wrote, and delivered science curriculum aligned with NGSS, WIDA, and the CCSS.

▪ Wrote and presented multiple professional development sessions on the NGSS, science identities,  environmental education, scaffolding, and language support at the individual, classroom, school, and conference level. 

▪ Drove significant growth in Chicago Public Schools REACH Science Performance Tasks (93.3% attainment) and the Illinois Science Assessment (20.3% above District). 

▪ Centered instruction around data driven decisions for units, lessons, accommodations, interventions, and  differentiation. Used Excel, SPSS, G*Power, NVivo, and other statistical tools for meaningful data analysis. 

▪ Distinguished educator rating on to the Danielson Framework for Teaching across three administrations. 

May 2010 – April 2013: Substitute Teacher (K-12) | School District 303 | 201 S. 7th Street | St. Charles, IL 

Substitute teacher across all core subject areas as well as P.E., Music, Technology, and Art, in grades (K-12) while  pursuing master’s degree. Honed skills by putting theory into practice and teaching a variety of abilities and grades. 

January 2008 – April 2010: English/Science Teacher and 6-12 School Manager | Surat Thani, Thailand 

Taught English and Science at Suratthani English Language School (Super English) and Thidamaepra Intermediate School as an international instructor. Promoted to Thai-School Manager overseeing ten teachers. https://www.superenglishsurat.com/ 

NON PROFIT AND CONSULTING EXPERIENCE

 

November 2024 – Present: Board of Directors – Eco.logic | Chicago, IL https://www.ecologicprograms.org/who-we-are 

501(c)(3) organization focused on building an inclusive movement where everyone understands the urgency of the climate crisis and knows how they can effectively engage by blending creativity and education to cultivate connections and mobilize action for a thriving planet. See the 2024 annual report: https://tinyurl.com/3j8xj5bk 

August 2019–2021 – Bringing the Universe to America’s Classrooms Advisory Board |  https://tinyurl.com/2nkf4nrp 

In collaboration with PBS Learning Media and NASA, wrote, reviewed, edited, revised, and presented recommendations about materials and technological science/engineering resources, for multilingual learners to ‘rewire’ STEM learning in the digital age.

Works and materials published online in 2020 were heavily used by educators nationally in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic.

April 2013 – Present: Non-Profit Consultant 

I am an experienced facilitator and curriculum specialist dedicated to enhancing education, communication, and science through innovative, person-centered approaches. I specialize in integrating tech, environmental sustainability and ESL  strategies into greater projects. My work emphasizes interdisciplinary storytelling, fostering quality engagement, and  addressing academic and social-emotional needs. I have designed, written, and piloted, curriculum and consulted for: 

• Chicago Public Schools 
• PBS Learning Media 
• Fed by Blue 
• Pilot Light: Food Education
• United States Department of Agriculture
• Camp Eco.logic
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
• Illinois/Indiana Sea Grant 
• Upstream Education 
• Climate Mental-Health Network
  

SELECTED NETWORK CONTRIBUTIONS AND PARTNERSHIPS

• 2025: Lake Michigan Shipboard Science Immersion - In partnership with the EPA Great Lakes National Program Office, NOAA, and the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, engaged in scientific research aboard the ship R/V Lake Guardian to promote Great Lakes science while forging lasting relationships between Great Lakes researchers and educators.
• 2024-2027: Selected as the lead and school partner of the Science School Leadership program through the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry, a collaborative project designed to bolster vertical science NGSS instruction. 
• 2024-2025: Illinois/Indiana Sea Grant – Piloted and contributed to curriculum integrating Meta Quest VR Headsets into NGSS environmental studies to improve experiential learning for teachers and students throughout the Great Lakes area.
• 2023-2025: Collaborated with Victoria Soto High School, Morton Arboretum, Lincoln Park Zoo, and  the Chicago Region Tree Initiative to establish a Level 1 arboretum, restored prairie, and community food garden.  Designated as an urban sanctuary and wildlife habitat, especially for pollinators, birds, and bats by leveraging technology to gather authentic data.
• 2023-2024: Participated in the Illinois Green School Project and National Wildlife Eco-Schools project, working towards  circular systems and zero waste schools through hydroponics and composting on school campuses. 
• 2023 – 2024: Partnered with NSTA & the Chicago Public Library to do community outreach and education around the  2023 and 2024 eclipses. Hosted internal/external place based professional development and education events.
• 2023-2024: In collaboration with Take Action Global, partnered with a global group of climate educators to establish and bolster education  in and around climate action at local and larger levels. Named a certified Climate Action School.
• 2023: Chosen for the Biodiversity Disrupted program through the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum to link authentic research experiences to classrooms and improve learning opportunities for urban and marginalized youth.
• 2023 – present: Piloted a robotics program with Smart Factor Rovers through Deloitte, teaching computer science and coding in Scratch and Python through Raspberry Pi computer systems and introductory robotic peripherals.
• 2022–2024: Chosen for the Understanding Energy Through Engineering program (22-23) and Air (23-24) with the Museum of Science and Industry to explore 6-8th science from a new perspective and experience driven problems. 
• 2022–present: Organizer and project lead for Pumas on the Third Coast, a collaborative effort between the U.S. Department of Commerce, NOAA, and the school community to propose and implement community conservation projects to protect local watersheds. Designated as an Ocean Guardian School. Projects include a plastic bag recycling program, letter writing, native wildlife habitat construction, and multiple resource saving projects.
• 2022–present: Organizer and project lead for the V.O.C.A. School Garden (Ver, Oler, Comer y  Aprender | See, Smell, Eat, and Learn). Organized teams of community stakeholders to construct, manage, and sustain a school garden stressing hands-on engagement in the world around the NGSS, particularly in the primary grades K-2. Certified monarch habitat.
• 2021–2022: Selected as a Pilot Light Education Fellow to support students as they learn to advocate for informed food choices by bridging lessons in the classrooms to the foods on their lunch trays, at home, and in their communities. Formed community connections to create knowledgeable and engaged citizens for an equitable and sustainable food future.
• 2021–2022: Worked as a collaborative partner in the STEM PLC: Strength in Numbers with teachers from  Chicago Public Schools and University of Chicago Lab School to implement novel modes of science and math instruction.
• 2021–present: SmART Hallway Science – Designed, built, and managed K-8 STEAM learning challenges including  Grab-and-Go kits, vertical non-permanent vertical learning structures, interactive curiosity boards, and more. 
• 2020–present: Developed writing program in the Middle School Science classroom to foster growth and  achievement of the NGSS standards and goals. Created the ‘A.D.E Approach’ for writing that is A² D² E² (Accessible  & Appropriate | Diverse & Differentiated | Engaging & Enjoyable) to facilitate efficacy and engagement through science storytelling. 
• 2018–2024: 5x unanimously elected a representative on the school-level Professional Solutions Committee.
• 2015–2020: 6th-8th grade Boys Soccer coach: two championships and two second place finishes.
• 2014–present: Created and established more than ten after school clubs including Middle School Science Fair (6-8),  Elementary S.T.E.M. club (3-5), Science of Running (4-6), Edible Science (K-3), and Science is Awesome (K-3)
• 2014–present: Lead network Professional Development sessions including: SEL Benefits of Pets in the Classroom;  Essential Practices: Attaining Fluency Through Mental Math; Writing in STEM: It’s Not (All) Rocket Science
  

SELECTED PROFESSIONAL PUBLICATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS

• 2025: Selected to present at the National Science Teaching Association (NSTA) International conference - A Study in Urban Environmental Education: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
• 2025: Selected to present at the American for Science Teacher Education (ASTE) International Conference on urban hydroponic and aquaponic - Seeds of Change Thrive in Concrete: Long Beach California
• 2023-2024: Partnered with the University of Chicago and NSTA for a Data Science Focus Group to review and revise culturally sustainable data science standards and curriculum working towards ameliorating historical injustices facing  marginalized urban, multilingual, and immigrant communities around data and computer science education. In review.
• 2024-2025: Contributed to and piloted Addressing Climate Emotions in Schools curriculum through the Climate Mental Health Network and National Environmental Education Foundation. Published March, 2025. https://www.climatementalhealth.net/education 
• 2024: Named as a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association Teacher at Sea to participate in a three-week groundfish survey in the Gulf of Mexico aboard the Oregon II research vessel. Worked with scientists and  teachers from across the United States. See publications here: https://noaateacheratsea.blog/
• 2023-2024: Selected to participate in the Forest Immersion Project: Global Tree Conservation Program in collaboration with the Morton Arboretum to expand its impact through education and first-hand experiences with the Monteverde Institute in Costa Rica. https://mortonarb.org/news/chicago-area-teachers-embark-on-costa-rica-cloud-forest-immersion-program/ 
• 2024: Presented with Paul Floyd from Chicago Public Schools at the 19th Chicago Food Justice Summit through the Chicago Food Policy Action Council about the  importance of food education and its consequential impact on communities.
• 2023: Co-presented at the American Association for the Advancement of Curriculum Studies (AAACS):  Centering community engagement in curriculum studies: Blurred boundaries of teaching-learning in urban context. Chicago, Illinois.

• 2023: Co-presented at the American for Science Teacher Education International Conference (ASTE) on research paper: Science Teacher Disequilibrium and the Impact on Science Teacher Identity – Salt Lake City, Utah.
• 2022–2023: Selected for a Mental Health Changemaker Fellowship with Upstream Education to implement and use targeted Social Emotional Learning (SEL) with students in the classroom. Published in 2023. https://www.upstreamedu.org/
• 2022: Chosen as a presenter, spokesperson, and representative for the Pilot Light organization at the Feed Your Mind Gala to promote food education, the value of urban growing systems, and equity in schools. Repeated in 2024.
• 2022: Selected as a model school to demonstrate the integration of culturally relevant and sustainable food and ecological education systems into middle school classrooms. Presented a lesson to representatives from the U.S. Department of  Agriculture, Illinois State Board of Education, various Chicago chefs, and small business owners.
• 2021: Camp curriculum advisor and writer for Camp Eco.logic to make environmental action accessible through intersectional community-building and creative action. Published and implemented in national classrooms 2022-present.
• 2021: Invited to present to dignitaries and representatives of the Scottish and U.S. governments as well as Chicago philanthropists through the Chicago Scots about the ecological impact of school lunches and community food programming.
• 2019–2021: Worked with WBGH, PBS Learning Media, and NASA as part of the Bringing the Universe to America’s Classrooms curriculum team to create and adapt materials to better meet the needs of multilingual learners. Program was accelerated and expanded in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic. Published online 2020. https://tinyurl.com/muy37rrc 
• 2020: Chosen for a partnership with Fermilab and the University of St. Francis, on improving teaching and  understanding of the Standard Model of Elementary Particles in Particle Physics, especially studying quarks and  neutrinos through inquiry. Facilitation benefited both remote and in-person instruction. Revised curriculum and program was released in 2022.
• 2020: Selected to provide feedback and review the NOVA ‘Making North America’ curriculum and course map for synchronous/asynchronous lessons that explore scientific discoveries on the acclaimed documentary series. Released 2020.
• 2019-2020: Appointed to the Chicago Teacher Advisory Council to research in multilevel groups to analyze and  provide insight around social justice and growth for all of Chicago Public Schools, presenting targeting MTSS  practices and implementation. Worked closely with interdisciplinary staff and administrators across the city with a proposal to the CEO.
• 2013: Partnered with the John G. Shedd Aquarium in Chicago for a 120 hour Freshwater Ecology research  task and professional development in developing Science Education with the Great Lakes and presented the experience.

SELECTED HONORS AND AWARDS

• 2025: Shell Science Teaching Award - Semi-finalist - recognizes one outstanding classroom teacher (grades K–12) who has had a positive impact on his or her students, school, and the community through exemplary science teaching

• 2024: Rev. Ronald J. Ferguson, S.J. Award – Most outstanding Alpha sigma Nu initiate extraordinary community care. 
• 2024: Illinois Green School Project – First Place, Elementary Division – Project awarded as best in State of Illinois
• 2024: USA Blue Schools – Blue Flag Award - Founding school in the Midwest region 
• 2024: National Wildlife Federation – Green Flag Award – Highest National EcoSchools Recognition
• 2023: Illinois State Board of Education – Teacher of the Year Award – Meritorious service for impact on school community
• 2023: NOAA Ocean Guardian School – Years 1 and repeated Year 2 Award Winners – First in State
• 2022: International Academic Competitions – 65% of students qualified for Nationals – 87% for Regionals
• 2021: Loyola University Chicago Ratner Teaching Scholarship 
• 2021: NYLP to STEM Honorary Member for mentoring, assisting, and advancing educational opportunities in STEM.
• 2020: US Department of Energy – Teacher Award for particle physics – Beauty and Charm
• 2019: ACERO Network Teacher of the Year Award for student attainment, teacher care, and community support.
• 2018: 2nd highest standardized test growth scores in the network. 
• 2014-2016: Elected to Union Executive Board with 87% of the vote; Strike Captain; bridge between Local and CTU.
• 2008 & 2009: Back-to-back Most Supportive Teacher Awards – Surat Thani, Thailand 

SELECTED GRANTS AND FUNDING

• 2025-2026: Illinois Department of Natural Resources - Schoolyard Habitat Action Grant - $1,437. Funds for native prairie restoration on the school grounds in collaboration and conjunction with the community.
• 2024-2025: Chicago Region Tree Initiative – Urban and Community Forestry Grant - $10,800. In collaboration with Morton Arboretum, planted 22 trees in and around the school grounds, qualifying the school as a Level 1 arboretum.
• 2024: Loyola University - Jesuit Community Stipend - $1,000. Funds granted to support work in service of the community.
• 2024: Illinois Green Alliance – Green project grant award - $717. Used to purchase and implement a composting program.
• 2023-2024: Take Action Global – Full funding for Climate Action School Project - $9,800. Hydroponics and Aquaponics.
• 2023: United Airlines - Good Leads the Way – $1,169. Hydroponic project bringing new growing tech to schools
• 2023: Hydroponic Venture Project – $1,449. RISE hydroponic rack-based project linking growth projects to schools indoors
• 2023: All Kids Bike – Collaborative multi-departmental grant led by the Strider Education Foundation and The NASCAR Foundation - $7,372. Funded the Learn-To-Ride program with the mission that every child learns to ride a bike.
• 2022–2023 – Emerson Collective Grant – Project G.R.O.W. (Garden, Reflect, Organize, Wonder) - $4975. Funded a Civic Action Project designed for urban environments to promote food awareness, healthy eating, and  community investment.
• 2022: National Marine Sanctuary Foundation – $345. Implemented a student-driven project designed and organized to engage the school community in watershed/local waterway stewardship activities and a school Zero Waste Day. 
• 2022: National Fluid Power Association Challenge Grant - $492. Provided materials for a curriculum project around the construction of community-focused hydraulic machines and discovered how forces in fluid focus are used in society.
• 2022: Herb Society of America Samull Grant – $300. Established a mobile indoor/outdoor herb garden on wheels to widen  experiences and values of urban agriculture, healthy eating, and sustainable agricultural practices. 
• 2021: AFCEA Gravely Grant for STEM Teachers – B.I.O.P.I.L.L. Project (Bringing In Opportunities to Participate  in Inquiry Learning Lessons) $1,000. Promoted STEM innovation in the classroom with an emphasis on the human experience. 
• 2021: Toshiba America Foundation – C.R.A.B.S. Project: Combining Robotics And Biology in Schools - $3,125. Project blending robotics with neuroscience for students and community in school and home.
• 2020: ComEd energy sustainability grant - Approximate value ~ $5,000. Provided hundreds of students products, tools, and education towards energy savings with a focus on helping students implement classroom lessons at home.
• 2020: Donors Choose – Big Explorations of the Very Small - $997. Microscopes and supporting equipment for class.

LICENCES, CERTIFICATIONS, AND MEMBERSHIPS

• Highly Qualified Illinois Professional Educator License (PEL) 
• Endorsements to PEL: 
• Elementary Education K-9 
• General Science 5-8 
• Language Arts 5-8 
• Social Science 5-8 
• English as a Second Language (ESL) pK-12 (2017) 
• Instructional Coach Certificate (2023) 

• Kappa Delta Pi: Builds communities and create lifelong opportunities by providing quality, equitable education
• Alpha Sigma Nu: Dedicated to scholarship, loyalty and service in a lifetime pursuit of service to others
• Healthy Teacher Program Certificate: Institute of Child Nutrition 
• Green Classroom Professional Certificate: U.S. Green Building Council - GBCI Course ID: 0920024841
• American National Standards Institute: Illinois Food Safety Handler with honors 
• Vaccine Ambassador: Certified by City Colleges of Chicago, emphasis on COVID-19 vaccine education.
• Eat What You Grow Certification – authorized to safely grow, harvest, and serve vegetables from school gardens
• Illinois Department of Natural Resources: Scientific Research and Collection Permit 
• Memberships - National Science Teacher Association (NSTA), Association for Science Teacher Education (ASTE),  Illinois Federation of Teachers (IFT), Chicago Teachers Union (CTU), United Educators for Justice (UEJ), Pilot Light  Fellowship Alumni Network & Evaluation Summit (PLFAN), Urban Rivers – Volunteer River Ranger, World Wildlife Federation (WWF), American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), Belong Gallery,  The Nature Conservancy, The National Audubon Society, National Wildlife Federation (NWF) 

EDUCATION

• Doctor of Education (EdD) ABD: Curriculum, Culture, and Communities. Loyola University, Chicago, IL: Expected 2026
• Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT): Elementary Education. Aurora University, Aurora, IL: December 2012
• Bachelor of Arts (BA): Liberal Arts and Sciences. The University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, IL: August 2007