Editor's Note: This is the twenty-sixth in a series of spotlights on Mathematics and Statistics Faculty. Ms. Johnson attended SFA before joining us as a lecturer in Fall 2006.

Do you have a hobby or collect something? How did you get into that?

I love to saltwater fish!! 

Tell us about an adventure you had, or would like to have.

I have had many great adventures fishing! I once caught the same fish at the same time as a friend. We were fishing together on a pier and the fish bit my hook. As I was reeling in, the fish bit her hook.  When we both reeled in our lines, we saw one fish with both of our hooks in its mouth! I have also had the joy of catching several large gar. Some of them were over 42 inches long! Boy, do they pull!! They are so, so fun to catch!!

What was one of your biggest successes or failures?

One of my biggest successes was actually earning my Master's Degree in Mathematics. When I was in elementary school, I really struggled with math. In 3rd grade, I had to stay in from recess because I was the last student in my class to learn how to multiply 2-digit numbers! It took lots of time and hard work for me to finally understand math!

What kind of music, books, movies, sports, games, cars, etc. (pick one or more) do you like? Is there any particular reason?

I love Christian music because it is positive, uplifting, encouraging, and reminds me of things that are true. I also love to watch football! When I was a child, my dream was to be a kicker for the Dallas Cowboys! I also love to play board games but especially cooperative board games like Horrified, Forbidden Island, or Pandemic, etc.

What projects (academic or not) are you currently working on?

At my house, I am currently working on decluttering and down-sizing. At work, I am working with a colleague to write articles about explaining difficult math concepts to K-12 students. Here is the link to our Substack: https://mathbacktobasics.substack.com/

What is the closest you have ever come to dying?

At 4 years old, I choked on a piece of hard candy and couldn't breathe for a few seconds.

What did you do to put yourself through school, or what weird job have you held?

I tutored math to put myself through college. I tutored privately, at the AARC, and also was hired by SFA to tutor athletes. My parents were not able to support me financially or pay for school.

What was the best piece of advice you were ever given?

To follow Jesus.

The thing that really makes you cool and unique is something that I would never have thought to list here. What is it?

I have a passion for putting Bible verses to music and have put over 100 verses to music. Singing the verses is an easy and fun way to memorize them.