HEY THERE!

I’m Paula Johnson, your friendly neighborhood educator, advocate, and occasional chaos wrangler (teaching will do that to you).

So, who am I? Well, I’ve been in education for 29 years (yes, you read that right), and I’ve worn just about every hat you can imagine—special education teacher, general education teacher, quasi-administrator, instructional coach, and tech instructional coach. And because I like a good challenge, I’ve also been my teacher association president for over a decade, advocating for educators and ensuring our voices are heard loud and clear.

What’s My Day Job?
These days, I teach virtual special education to students in grades 8 through 12, where my classroom is as flexible as my coffee consumption. (And trust me, that’s saying something.) When I’m not teaching, I’m diving deep into the fascinating world of artificial intelligence.

Currently, I’m serving on the Iowa Department of Education’s AI Policy Creation Committee, helping shape state-wide policies that empower educators and students to use AI responsibly. I’m also an ISTE + ASCD Generative AI Fellow, exploring how we can transform learning in a connected world.  I serve as a member of the EngageAI Practitioner Advisory Board.  Finally, I have helped to develop the NEA Policy Statement regarding AI as a member of the NEA AI Task Force.  

Why This Blog?
This blog is my way of sharing the lessons, ideas, and occasional funny moments I’ve picked up over nearly three decades in education. Whether you’re here for virtual teaching tips, AI insights, or just a relatable story, I promise to keep things real, practical, and occasionally humorous.

Fun Facts About Me

• When I’m not teaching or advocating, you’ll probably find me reading, dreaming up new projects, or enjoying an absurdly large cup of coffee.
• I’ve presented at national conferences where I learned that no matter how experienced you are, technology will find a way to surprise you.
• My favorite part of teaching? Watching students hit those “aha!” moments when they realize their potential. (It never gets old.)

Let’s Connect!
I’d love to hear from you! Drop a comment, send me a message, or connect with me on LinkedIn or @paulatech.bsky.social on Blue Sky. Whether you’re a fellow educator, tech enthusiast, or just curious about the intersection of AI and education, I’m so glad you’re here.

Thanks for stopping by—now let’s build a brighter future for education together!

Just a note, in case you are wondering…all of the thoughts posted in my blog are my own and do not reflect my day job in any way.