Carl Johnson is an enthusiastic teacher who inspires his students and improves learning through hands-on experience in the marine environment. A teacher at South Boston High School for 33 years, his specialty is marine science. A field trip approach has provided many of his diverse students with their first opportunity to discover the Harbor and Ocean through twice a year trips on board the Schooner Ernestina. Students get increased experience in meaningful lab and field work in spring by their once-a-week seasonal involvement at Leverett Pond (Charles River Watershed) in a Watershed Institute program of Boston College. Carl has taken his students to a week-long residential program on the Cape and students have provided crew for the tall ship "Spirit of Massachusetts" on four occasions. The picture above shows Carl and a student on board "Spirit" in 1991 (shirt one year old!)

The Extra Help program on Boston Cablevision (now MetroOne) has engaged Carl to answer student questions on science problems for nine years, taking advantage of his quick mind and broad background knowledge. He is always ready to mentor fellow teachers and participates in many extra-curricular efforts, including membership on the Education Committee of the Boston Harbor Islands Partnership. Two of his lesson plans for grades 11 and 12 are included here.