On Monday, August 17, 2026, I will enter my 31st year in public school education. Who would have imagined when I started my career all those years ago that I would still be learning, loving, and serving in this profession for so long? I have no idea how long this journey will continue, but this work is truly my calling, and I am thrilled to get back into the groove!
This was my very first summer ever in my career where I was completely immersed in rest. I learned so much over the past few months about what rest actually means and what my body truly needs. For a teacher, real rest is about so much more than just soaking up the sun, going for evening walks, or observing the night sky. It is about taking the time for a relaxed lunch, tuning into the physical signals my body sends me, and noticing the deep healing that happens when I step away from a rigid daily schedule.
Because of this, I have decided to approach this upcoming school year with clear intention. My purpose is not only to serve students and coach teachers and administrators, but also to guard against the relentless busyness that deprives my body of quiet moments. Last school year marked year one of Paula Johnson Tech, LLC, and I hope to keep creating and growing this mission for another 30 years. Doing that requires intentional care of my body, which ultimately comes down to prioritizing rest, because rest is the fertile soil where true human growth happens.
While I was resting, I picked up the basics of embroidery and discovered the comforting connection between the mind and the hands. Working with needle and thread helped release stress in ways my smartphone screen never could. I learned how much simple joy comes from walking outside without a timer or a place to be. I reconnected with Spider-Man at the movie theater, soaking in that fantastical bit of superhero action that whisked me away from my own daily multiverse. I even took time to explore ancient Pompeii:Out of time with Tom Hiddleston and dive into an alternate timeline in For All Mankind. These are all simple pleasures I rarely make room for during the school year when life moves at a lightning fast pace.
I also learned a lot this summer about where educational technology and artificial intelligence are headed. I have reaffirmed that Paula Johnson Tech, LLC is named intentionally. AI will certainly play a key role in our future, but my focus remains firmly on uniting pedagogy with technology to support student learning, teacher needs, and high quality instructional practices. This human intersection is where true learning happens for our students, and it is where we must keep our focus. AI holds incredible potential to enhance education, I believe this with my whole heart, but never at the expense of what five decades of research have taught us about how kids actually learn, especially in areas like the Science of Reading.
I have no intention of leaving these summer lessons behind as autumn approaches. I plan on carrying every single one of them into the new school year. I am returning to my Friday reflection pieces, and over time, I will resume a new and improved Tuesday Tech post. I will continue meeting with educators to explore the sweet spot where technology and pedagogy meet. There is so much good work ahead, and I am deeply grateful you are on this journey alongside me.
Let us raise a glass , or a coffee mug, to the new school year! May it be filled with joy, meaningful learning, and above all, a firm grounding in the human centered truths we know to be right.
Paula Johnson Tech 
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