Annie Johnston is a co-coordinator, along with Wyn Skeels, of the CP Academy. She also teaches Community and Ethnic Studies, Introduction to Pyschology and Community Service Professions - the Internship class. Annie started
her undergraduate degree at UC Santa Cruz and continued her education through several city colleges, completing her degree at the age of 34 at New College of California. She then received her teaching credential from San Francisco State University and her Masters Degree and administrative credential on a fellowship from UC Berkeley. This is her 16th year teaching at Berkeley High. Annie is the perfect person to work with students on career choices because her own career experience is extensive. Her previous careers have included early childhood education teacher, electronics technician, secretary, stripper in the printing industry, graphic designer, and editor. On the side she has taught martial arts and self defense and worked as a political activist to support liberation movements in Africa and Central America, as well as movements for social justice and equity here in the U.S.
Annie’s philosophy of teaching is strongly influenced by Paolo Freire, a Brazilian educator who believed that education should empower people to affect their reality, to make positive changes. Annie says that schools have historically recreated social inequities and that it takes a conscious, creative, and collaborative effort to turn them instead into places that challenge inequity. She believes that schools should be part of the communities they serve, places where people can access information and skills to unlock their individual potential and contribute to improving the life of the community. “Teaching and raising children takes a whole village,” Annie said. “Each young person has many teachers in school, in the community, in the family. The more we communicate and work together, the better all of us will do at preparing the next generation to make a difference. In the process, we are all learners, and we all have things to teach.”
Ms. Johnston's honors include UC Berkeley Fellow; Principal Leadership Institute; Bay Area Writing Project Fellow; Past Chair BHS History Department.
