Susan Johnson, our state’s recently-crowned Teacher of the Year, mingled with almost 300 Puget Sound business and civic leaders at the Seattle Chamber’s Leadership Conference last week, at the invitation of the Partnership for Learning. Chamber chair Tayloe Washburn eloquently introduced Susan to the influential crowd and recognized her dedication and contributions to preparing students for success.

Throughout the evening, a number of business and non-profit CEOs had a chance to talk with Susan and her husband Doug—himself a high school math teacher—and exchange views on education.

What surprised me most about the experience? How many people are intimately connected to teachers. A son, daughter, brother or sister….and a number of folks who started their career in teaching but just “couldn’t cut it.” These leaders, no matter what their prescription for improving schools—better teacher pay, performance pay, more testing, less testing, this math or that math—acknowledged the hard work and contributions of our teachers.

We at the Partnership were pleased to spotlight Susan’s work for the region’s leaders, and remind them how many wonderful teachers and good-news stories exist in K-12 education.