STAFF REPORT
Glasgow News 1
Barren County teacher, and 2025 Kentucky Elementary Teacher of the Year, returned to his alma mater to provide a “master class in teaching” to future educators.
Lindsey Wilson College alumnus Scott Johnson spent about an hour with more than three dozen education majors, challenging them to be humble, innovative and willing to learn from their students
Johnson, a 2002 graduate of Lindsey Wilson who has been teaching for more than two decades, now teaches STEAM— science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics — to preschool through sixth-grade students at Red Cross Elementary School. Johnson told the Lindsey Wilson students that STEAM is a natural fit for him because “it’s all connected.”
Throughout his talk, Johnson emphasized humility and partnership with students, encouraging future teachers not to present themselves as “the sage on the stage” but instead as “the guide on the side.”
“When you go into your new teaching experiences, it’s cool that you will know things and know how to do things, but it’s just as cool to say, ‘I don’t know. Can you teach me?’” he said. “You show a kid that you are able to let them teach you, they will be more than happy to let you teach them.”
Johnson also shared the story behind one of his most widely known classroom projects that has even garnered national media attention, including a feature on the ABC World News Tonight with David Muir.
At age 41, he began learning how to use his school’s 3D printer to enhance lessons. After getting to know student Jackson Farmer, who was born without a right hand, Johnson decided to apply his new skill to design and build a prosthetic hand. Jackson, now in fourth grade, is using the fifth version of the hand, which Johnson said cost about $4 to make.
Johnson told the Lindsey Wilson students the experience showed why educators should keep trying new things throughout their careers, reminding them, “Remember: amateurs built the ark, professionals built the Titanic.”
Johnson also has coached sports at the elementary, middle and high school levels and has earned two master’s degrees.
Key Facts
• Visit took place March 26 at Lindsey Wilson University.
• More than three dozen education students attended the session.
• Speaker Scott Johnson is a 2002 Lindsey Wilson graduate.
• Johnson was named 2025 Kentucky Elementary Teacher of the Year.
• He teaches STEAM at Red Cross Elementary in Barren County.
• Johnson used 3D printing to create low-cost prosthetic hands for a student born without a right hand.
• The project drew national media attention, including ABC World News Tonight and The Jennifer Hudson Show.
• Johnson urged future teachers to show humility and let students teach them, not just the other way around.
Michael Crimmins with Glasgow News 1 contributed to this reporting.
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