Erin’s Village: From her classmates, to locals, to students…
Meet erin johnson,
Class of 2011
Erin Johnson’s journey from MTR’s Class of 2011 to Head of School at Crosstown High highlights the power of community and shared purpose. She credits her residency class as a family that inspired her love for Memphis and its future. Through her work, Erin lives out MTR’s mission, showing students their worth and potential while celebrating the spirit that defines Memphis.
Erin Johnson never imagined that the journey she started on as a member of MTR’s Class of 2011 would lead her to where she is today. After spending many years as a teacher and working at MTR, she is now serving as the Head of School at Crosstown High School. Erin reflects on how intertwined her success is with the people she’s met along the way.
“Everything I’ve learned, I owe to the incredible people who have walked this journey with me,” Erin shares, her voice full of gratitude. “My residency class was, and still is, one of the most loyal, passionate, and driven groups of individuals I’ve ever known.”
The Class of 2011 holds a special place in Erin’s heart. Their bond goes far beyond shared experiences in teacher training. They were there for one another through late-night lesson planning, early morning reflections, and stepping into the classroom for the first time. Erin describes her cohort as family.
“We weren’t just training to be good teachers,” Erin explains. “We were learning how to love our city, to pour into its future, and to believe in our students. That kind of work isn’t done in isolation—it takes a village. And my village started with my residency class.”
Despite years of the undeniable impact she’s had on her students’ lives, she remains focused on the bigger picture: the mission and vision of MTR. “Every day, I get to live out the vision of restoring communities through education by being in classrooms and with kids. It’s not just about teaching math or reading; it’s about showing kids that they matter, that they’re capable of incredible things.”
Her time in the classroom has been a continuous learning experience. “Kids teach you so much,” she says, smiling. “They’ve taught me patience, resilience, and the importance of meeting people where they are. They remind me why I do this work and how much more there is to learn.”
For Erin, Memphis is a source of inspiration and a driving force behind her dedication. “This city has a way of calling you to be your best self,” she says. “There’s something about Memphis’ spirit, its authenticity, that makes you want to dig in and make a difference.”
“I’m just one part of something much bigger,” Erin says, her humility shining through. “The real story is about all of us—the teachers, the kids, the families, the city. It’s about what we can accomplish together.”
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